Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.4f4qrfjp0

Citation

Nawa Sugiyama, Ariel Texis Muños, Saburo Sugiyama, and Karl A. Taube 2025. Photographs and Photogrammetry Models of Cerro Patlachique Monuments. Dryad data repository. DOI:10.5061/dryad.4f4qrfjp0

Description of the data and file structure

This dataset comprises documentation of forty carved stone monuments located on the summit of Sierra Patlachique, collected between 2018 and 2021 under the Plaza of the Columns Complex Project and the Mesoamerican Cosmic Cities in 3D Project. Thirty-six of these monuments were recorded via photogrammetric survey and processed in Agisoft Metashape (v.2.2.0) to generate detailed mesh models. Accompanying these models are high-resolution TIFF photographs (color and black-and-white) illustrating iconographic details, and a comprehensive Excel spreadsheet cataloguing dimensions, iconographic measurements, provenance, and descriptive notes. All data are provided in open‐standard formats to support archaeological analysis, comparative iconography, and digital heritage preservation.

The primary data package includes:

• Photographs: High‐resolution TIFF images (black-and-white and color) depicting the iconographic details of each monument (Elements 1–35).

• Supplementary Table: An Excel spreadsheet (.xlsx) cataloguing all 40 Elements with attributes such as recording project, dimensions (height, width, depth), iconographic measurements, general observations, and detailed iconographic notes.

• 3D Models: Wavefront OBJ files for Elements 1–35 and Element 40, each accompanied by its native texture (JPEG) and material descriptor (MTL) to preserve accurate surface appearance.

Data Format

Metadata

• Photographs (.tiff): Contains photographs depicting the iconography of each Element. It consists of a black-and-white file and a color file for each Element, from 1 to 35.
• Supplementary Table (.xlsx): It consists of a table of supplementary data for each element recorded up to the creation of this document at the summit of Sierra Patlachique. This data contains information about which project recorded the elements listed in the table, as well as measurements, general notes, and iconography notes. This supplementary describes 40 Elements.
• 3D Modeling (Formats)
  • .obj: This file contains the information of the 3D model generated for elements 1 to 35, as well as Element 40. Each .obj file was generated through photogrammetry using Agisoft Metashape.
  • .jpg: Textures corresponding to each OBJ file, preserving surface characteristics.
  • .mtl: Material descriptors detailing how textures should be applied to polygonal surfaces in compatible 3D software.

Usage Notes

The dataset is intended for archaeological and iconographic analysis, comparative studies of Mesoamerican rock art, and educational outreach. All files are provided in widely supported formats to ensure maximum compatibility and ease of access.

We are committed to supporting reproducible research and will provide additional information via consultation to facilitate the effective use of this dataset.

Methodology

Creation of 3D models

Agisoft Metashape v.2.2.0 was used to process the photographs. For each photograph, cutout masks were created to prevent the background from being modeled, and all processing was focused solely on the Element.

The parameters for photograph alignment are:

• Accuracy: High
• Reference preselection: Source
• Key point limit: 60,000
• Tie point limit: 10,000
• Apply mask to: Key points

The parameters for building models are:

• Source data: Depth maps
• Quality: High
• Face count: High
• Interpolation: Enable
• Depth Filtering: Mild

The parameters for building textures are:

• Texture type: Diffuse map
• Source data: Images
• Mapping mode: Generic
• Blending Mode: Mosaic
• Texture size: 8192
• Hole filling: Enable

Files and variables

File: Models_EL-1-20.zip

Description: There are three files for each monument (.obj, .jpg, .mtl), see data description for details of each file format, but all three files are necessary to open a textured photogrammetry model. Each file is identified by its element number (e.g., EL_01) for each file type. The first zip file contains the models for element numbers 1-20.

File: Models_EL_21-40.zip

Description: There are three files for each monument (.obj, .jpg, .mtl), see data description for details of each file format, but all three files are necessary to open a textured photogrammetry model. Each file is identified by its element number (e.g., EL_01) for each file type. The second zip file contains the models for element numbers 21-35, and 40. As we were unable to find the published monuments Element 36-39, there is no model for these monuments.

File: Photos_El-1-20.zip

Description: Contains photographs depicting the iconography of each Element. It consists of a black-and-white file and a color file for each Element. File name is labeled by element number (e.g. EL_01) and if it is black and white (BW) or color (CLR) photograph. First zip file contains element numbers 1-20.

File: Photos_El-21-35.zip

Description: Contains photographs depicting the iconography of each Element. It consists of a black-and-white file and a color file for each Element. File name is labeled by element number (e.g. EL_01) and if it is black and white (BW) or color (CLR) photograph. Second zip file contains element numbers 21-35.

File: SuppTable_ATM_NS_V3.xlsx

Description: It consists of a table of supplementary data for each element recorded up to the creation of this document at the summit of Sierra Patlachique. This data contains information about which project recorded the elements listed in the table, as well as measurements, general notes, and iconography notes. This supplementary describes 40 Elements that include published monuments that were not found by the project.

Variables

• Element #: Monument number assigned by the project, from 1-40.
• Image: Small image of the monument.
• Project/Year discovered: PPCC (Project Plaza of the Columns Complex), TVP (Teotihuacan Valley Project), Helmke et al (based on publication author as there was no formal project name for the approval of the National Council of Archaeology), Mejía and Forsee (publication author as there was no formal project name).
• Height/Width/Depth/Icon Width/Icon Height (cm): All these columns provide dimensions in cm.
• Complete?: If the monument and the iconography was complete.
• # of Designs: Number of iconographic elements on the monuments
• Iconography: Brief description of iconography
• Locality notes: Notes about locality taken during survey by A. Texis.
• Iconography Notes: Description of the iconography.
• Other Notes: Other notes about including fragmentation, reference if it was a previously published monument, and observations about taphonomy.

File: SuppTable*_*ATM_NS _V3_TextOnly.cvs

Description: It consists of an unformatted cvs text file of the the Excel supplementary table, SuppTable_ATM_NS_V3.xlsx. This insures greater data accessibility. As photographs are not supported in this format, readers will have to access visual data by either opening the Excel file, or going to the original field photographs or models labeled by their Element # on the first column.

Code/software

Recommended Software

• Supplementary Table: Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets.
• 3D Models: MeshLab 2023.12, with settings optimized via Render → Shader → Radiance Scaling for enhanced visibility of engraved details.
• Photograph: Any software capable of reading files in .tif format.

Usage, Compatibility, and Accessibility

The Cerro Patlachique Carved Monuments dataset is supplied in broadly supported, open‐standard formats to accommodate a wide range of analytical workflows and software environments:

• Photographs (.tiff): High-resolution, uncompressed images (color and black-and-white) to ensure lossless examination of engraving details. Compatible with image‐analysis tools such as ImageJ, Adobe Photoshop, or any GIS package supporting TIFF.
• Supplementary Table (.xlsx): Microsoft Excel format with full metadata for all 40 Elements. Readable in Excel, Google Sheets, LibreOffice Calc, or importable into R, Python (pandas), and other data‐science platforms.
• 3D Models
  • Wavefront OBJ (.obj): Standard geometry format containing vertex and face definitions for 36 monuments.
  • Material File (.mtl) & Texture (.jpg): Surface appearance descriptors and textures that MeshLab, Blender, Cloud Compare, and similar 3D packages automatically apply.

All core files are non-proprietary. The only software-specific component, the Agisoft Metashape project files, was not archived here to minimize dependencies; instead, fully exported OBJ/MTL/JPG outputs are provided. Should users require access to the original Metashape projects (e.g., to adjust photogrammetric parameters), they may request them from the corresponding authors.

Researchers are encouraged to work directly with the supplied TIFFs, OBJ models, and XLSX table to maintain data fidelity.

If specialized conversion or assistance is needed—such as batch texture re-mapping, format translation to PLY or STL, or guidance on optimal rendering parameters—please get in touch with Ariel Texis Muñoz (ariel.texismz@gmail.com) and Nawa Sugiyama (nawas@ucr.edu)

Access information

Several monuments were previously published for the following monuments:

• El_04: Originally published by Helmke et al. 2013. The piece was found during the survey, and PPCC members created the photographs and the photogrammetry model presented in this dataset.
• EL_36: Parsons 2019:Figure 3.9
• EL_37-39: Helmke et al. 2013
• EL_40: Published by Mejía and Froese 2022:Figure 2c. The piece was found during the survey, and PPCC members created the photogrammetry model presented in this dataset.

Acknowledgements

The survey was completed with the support and authorization of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (401.1S.3-2018/963, 401.1S.3-2019/1058, 401.1S.3-2021/502, 401.1S.3-2022/140), the community of Santiago Tepetitlán and the Regional Delegation at Texcoco, through the General Co-ordination of Ecological Conservation, of the Secretaría del Medio Ambiente of the State of Mexico. We thank community members and the ejido’s (communal land tenure system) commission board for their collaboration.

References

HELMKE, C., J. NIELSEN, C. LENI & A.N. CAMPOS. 2013. The carved monuments of Cerro Xoconoch, Teotihuacan Valley, Mexico. Mexicon 35: 90–95.

MEJÍA RAMÓN, A.G. & T. FROESE. 2022. Un monumento Teotihuacano al Dios de las Tormentas con tocado de signo del año en el Santuario de Tlaloc. Mexicon 44: 135–39.

PARSONS, J.R. 2019. Remembering archaeological fieldwork in Mexico and Peru, 1961–2003: a photographic essay, volume 3. Beaverton: Ringgold Inc.