While digging out a well for the family homestead back in the early 1970s, a native of San Antonio Tlayacapan made a startling discovery.
Buried four meters beneath the earth was a cache of more than 30 ancient artifacts, including assorted clay pots and several nearly intact ceramic figurines. The man’s widow, Maria del Rosario Morales, has managed to keep hold of many of the pieces over more than four decades. Now she is coming forward to offer them as contributions for the creation of a community museum.
The museum initiative has been launched by Acalli, a newly formed community organization dedicated to the preservation of San Antonio’s cultural, historical and natural heritage. The project has already gained backing from the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH), which will provide technical assistance to identify, catalogue and display the antiquities. The Chapala municipal government is also on board to house the museum in the small building it owns across the street from the San Antonio plaza.
Acalli’s Culture and History Commission has also getting support from two other families who have private collections of pre-Hispanic artifacts, antique sacred art and other items of historic value. Members hope to encourage more villagers to join the cause with the donation or loan of heirlooms and objects rescued from construction projects, the former town brick factory and diggings along the lakeshore. All objects will remain in possession of their owners until the museum is fully set up for operation.
Eventually, the museum project will also encompass a collection of oral histories from village elders. Acalli is currently developing a detailed proposal to obtain a funding grant through the Jalisco Culture Department.
For further information, interested parties may contact Victoria Corona at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 331-723-3440 (cel).