How does a stone god feel about being moved? This is the Monumento a Tlaloc statue. We stand before a giant. A basalt giant weighing 168 tons. This magnificent sculpture is a representation of the Aztec god of rain Tlaloc. Some scholars debate whether it depicts Tlaloc or his sister Chalchiuhtlicue. Both were water and rain deities in Mesoamerican cultures.
For centuries this Monumento a Tlaloc remained hidden. Buried in San Miguel Coatlinchan. A farmer accidentally unearthed it in the mid-1800s. He was digging an irrigation canal. The discovery sparked interest. In 1889 Josu00e9 Maru00eda Velasco painted it. He thought it was Chalchiuhtlicue. Archaeologist Leopoldo Batres identified it as Tlaloc in 1903.
The people of Coatlinchan called it the Piedra de los Tecomates. The circular indentations resembled jicara. Jicara are shells used for serving chocolate pozol. They believed the statue had healing powers. They believed it could attract rain. They offered gifts for good harvests. The Monumento a Tlaloc was a local tourist attraction.
In 1963 President Adolfo Lu00f3pez Mateos wanted it. He wanted the Monumento a Tlaloc in Mexico City. He wanted it for the new National Museum of Anthropology. The move caused conflict. The people protested. They feared losing their tourist attraction. They worried about the impact on their rainfall.
Despite the protests the Monumento a Tlaloc was moved. It was moved in 1964. It took a specially built trailer. The journey was marked by a huge downpour. This enormous downpour flooded parts of Mexico City. Many saw it as a sign. A sign from the gods. The Monumento a Tlaloc stands proudly. It stands at the entrance to the museum. It continues to fascinate and inspire awe. This colossal statue is a powerful symbol. It is a symbol of Mexico’s rich cultural heritage.