Another Contender for Zarahemla ~ Chiapa de Corzo

While Sorensen if firmly in the camp of Santa Rosa as Zarahemla, a few other Book of Mormon scholars lean toward a site downriver (north) of Santa Rosa, the pre-Colombian site of Chiapa de Corzo.  This is how Wikipedia describes that site:

Chiapa de Corzo is an archaeological site of pre-Colombian Mesoamerica, located in the Central Depression of Chiapas of present-day Mexico. It rose to prominence during the Middle Formative [about 200 BC to 200 AD*] period, becoming a regional center or capital that controlled trade along the Grijalva River. By then, its public precinct had reached 18-20 ha in size, with total settlement approaching 70 ha. The site is believed to have been settled by Mixe–Zoquean speakers, bearers of the Olmec culture that populated the Gulf and Pacific Coasts of southern Mexico . . .  [It represented] an archaeological culture that became the conduit between late Gulf Olmec society and the early Maya.

The Importance of Stelae

 

What the Book of Mormon Says:

 

And it came to pass in the days of Mosiah, there was a large stone brought unto him with engravings on it; and he did interpret the engravings by the gift and power of God.  And they gave an account of one Coriantumr, and the slain of his people. And Coriantumr was discovered by the people of Zarahemla; and he dwelt with them for the space of nine moons. (Omni 1: 20-21)

 

The Book of Mormon teaches that records were kept, not only on metal plates, but on large stones or stelae.  This particular stela mentioned by Omni would have probably been dated around 550 BC.

 

 What Archaeology Says about Stelae

 

Stelae are found throughout Mesoamerica.  Archaeologists do their best to interpret them, although it is not an exact science.  There were dozens of stelae found in La Venta, the site Latter-day Saint scholars believe to be the City of Mulek.  Stelae were also found in the Chiapa de Corzo site.  One particular stela at Chiapa is of historical significance because it is engraved with the first Mesoamerican Long Count calendar date yet found.  Stela 2, shown at the right, shows the date of 7.16.3.2.13 which scholars interpret to be December, 36 BC.  This date is particularly meaningful to Latter-day Saints, a point which we will discuss later on the Couch.

* These are the dates during which the Book of Mormon places the great cities of the Nephites along the Sidon/Grijalva River.  After 200 AD, Nephite culture began to deteriorate and by 400 AD, they had been completely annihilated as a distinct nation.

 

Text from the Books of Mormon and from Wikipedia/Chiapa de Corzo.

Additional text copyright July 2013, Gebara Education

 

Picture of Zarahemla from www.bigboardgames.com

Picture of Stela 2 from www.wikipedia.com/Chiapadecorzo