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The archaeological site of
TEOTIHUACAN
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It would be impossible to discover, in such a relatively small area, a ceremonial and urban centre that could match the magnificence of this testimonial of prehispanic civlization.
Just 24 kms. north of Mexico City
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the Archaeological Site of Cacaxtla |
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Cacaxtla is located 25 kilometres to the southeast of the city of Tlaxcala, Tlaxcala, along Federal Highway 119; heading to Puebla take the turning to
San Martin,
then take the turn off again in Texmelucan. |
The ruins of Cacaxtla are the most important of the state of Tlaxcala, not precisely for the architecture, rather for the murals that, despite being over a 1,000 years old, are very well preserved.
The technical ability used in these murals is highly advanced, mainly of figures, and highly colourful. According to the specialists, the murals depict local customs, religious rites and war scenes.
The physical features of the human figures represented in the murals signal definitively, different indigenous groups, possibly mayas (the defeated) and olmecs and xiclangas (the winners).
Given that the murals are damaged by sunlight, visits to the site are only allowed during the mornings.
Visits: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 13:00 hours. |
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| the Archaeological Site of Calixtlahuaca |
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Just 13 kilometres to the east of Toluca (capital of the State of Mexico) and 74 kilometres from Mexico City, to get there take the Federal Highways 15 and then 155. |
This archaeological centre dates back to the year 1,500 BC., and was still in use until the 1st Century of our present day calender. This is the only site known belonging to the matlazinca culture. For a certain period, accoring to the experts, the site was actually inhabited by both matlazinca and aztec warriers.
The most important structure is a circular pyramid, with architectural influences from the world famous site of Teotihuacan; the pyramid is dedicated to Ehécatl, the Wind God, also known as Quetzalcoatl.
Spread out over several square miles, the ruins have a series of intercommunicable patios with rooms at differing levels, depending on the time of their construction during the development period of the location.
Evidence shows that the site was a 'Calmecac,' a type of school for the aristocrats of society, the idea being so they could enter the higher ranking political and military positions later in life. Among other subjects were the arts, astronomy, mathematicas and the interpretation of heiroglyphics.
Also at the site there is a 'juego de pilota,' a prehispanic ball game where neither hands nor feet were allowed to be used, and a platform of cranium. |
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| Cerro del Tepozteco - the Tepozteco Hill |
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Located above the town of Tepoztlan, in the State of Morelos, just 12 kilometres from Mexico City, to the south along Federal Highways 95 and 115. |
To get to the site you have to enter Tepoztlan and follow Av. Nicólas Bravo until you reach the bottom of the hill, from there you have to do perform an invigourating walk to the top.
The last part of the climb, up an unusual type of ladder, is a little challenging for the elderly, or faint hearted. That said, the effort is well worth it. The view of the valley is stunning, as are the views across the valley to the unusual mountain formations. The site was originally inhabited by the xochimilcas or tepoztecas, and later by the mexicas, who invaded the area under the reign of Moctezuma Ilhuicamina.
The ruins here are not spectacular but make a good afternoon's entertainment. The God being venerated here was Tepoztecatol, God of the *Pulque, along with the state of drunkenness.
Also related to the fertility of the harvests, Tepoztecatol was also visited by pilgrims, people coming from afar to offer their worship to the God.
*Pulque is a prehispanic alcoholic drink made from the fermented juices of the maguey cactus, also used in the elaboration of Mexico's favourite tipple, tequila. |
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the Archaeological Site of Chalcatzingo |
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Chalcatzingo lies 68 kilometres southeast of Cuautla, in the State of Morelos, along Federal Highway 140. |
The name Chalcatzingo means "primitive place of the Chalcas." This is a small village with less than a thousand inhabitants.
However, the place is of great archaeological importance. In days gone by, this village acted as a trade hub where you could buy goods from the Gulf Coast, the high central plains and/or the Pacific Coast.
On the cliffs of the hill there are large images of both human figures and animals. The site also has several pyramid bases, ball courts, alters and stellae divided into differing groups.
The God of Water was the main recipient of worship here. |
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the City of Cholula |
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Just 6 kilometres from the city of Puebla, capital of the state of the same name, along Federal Highway 190. |
Cholula, famed for its great pyramid, is the largest prehispanic pyramid in Mexico and offers insights to the people who inhabited the area. In reality, the site was constructed in three stages, each new pyramid being constructed on the top of the former.
At first glance, the pyramid just looks like a natural hill, but there are tunnels that allow visitors to enter and marvel at the paintings inside the second pyramid.
On the top of the pyramid is the 'Templo de los Remedios,' the Temple of the Remedies, with tile-covered copulas. To the west of the pyramid, remains of a large square were found and reconstructed, originally dating back to the 2nd Century of our era.
The name given to the square is 'Los Bebedores,' or the Drinkers, given the fact that several murals depicting drinking priests were discovered there, probably drinking pulque, often used in religious ceremonies. |
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the Archaeological Site of Malinalco |
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Malinalco lies 70 kilometres to the southeast of Mexico City, along Federal Highway 15 and then via state highway 13, from the 'Marquesa.' |
Located in the centre of an amazing landscape of tranquil beauty, this ceremonial centre was of great importance prior to the arrival of the Spanish, which allowed the matlazincas to live in relative peace for a long period,
Until, that is, Axayácatl, the leader of Tenochtitlan, the site of modern day Mexico City, heard of the fertility of the lands and initiated the conquest of the area in 1476. To get to the archaeological zone, take the street that heads south from the central plaza of the village and you'll come to the site at the end of the street, the walk takes around 20 to 25 minutes.
As you approach, the first thing you see is a building, or truncated pyramid, with two chambers; one rectangular and one circular, with four annex. The main structure is carved out of rock and is considered to be unique throughout the Americas.
Basically, the site is a truncated pyramid crowned with a sanctuary housing a large sculpture, the facade has a carving of two eyes and eyebrows and the jaws of a snake.
Inside, on a bench, sat on a bench, there are three sacred animals: two eagles and an ocelot. This was the Temple of the Eagle warriors and the Tiger warriers. |
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the Archaeological Site of
Santa Cecilia Acatitla |
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Located to the north of Mexico City, in the metropolitan zone of Tlalnepantla. |
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Close to Tenayuca, you will find Santa Cecilia Acatitla, a village proud to boast of its pyramid, a replica of the Templo Mayor in Mexico City.
The pyramid, now restored, shows various stages of construction on top of which there is an alter. The construction has four different bodies, with a divided staircase leading to the top.
A site museum also offers the opportunity to appreciate some interesting pieces found at the site, principally cranium, anthropomorphic sculptures, zoomorphic reliefs and a variety of small figurines. |
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| the Archaeological Site of Tenayuca |
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In the State of Mexico, just 10 kilometres from Mexico City. |
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Tenayuca was the capital of the chichemecas of Xólo and was home to the group's first three kings, the fourth king decided to move the settlement to the kingdom of Texcoco.
In Tenayuca there is a large pyramid with a staired, four-body design of 2-metre high vertical walls. Some of the stairs are decorated with relief work.
The division of the stairway into two parts indicates that there were probably two temples on the top of the pyramid, similar to the pyramid of the Templo Mayor in Tenochtitlan, modern day Mexico City.
It is probable that the temples here were dedicated to the two gods: Tlaloc and Huitzilipochtli. During one stage of the construction, a belt of rattlesnakes, stretching from side to side around the back of the pyramid, and actually touching each other on occasions, was constructed of stone and ceramic.
The six stages of the construction finally gave the pyramid a height of 62 metres from north to south and approximately 50 metres from east to west. |
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| the Archaeological Site of Teotenango |
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West of Tenango Arista, 25 kilometres to the south of Toluca, the capital of the State of Mexico, along Federal Highway 55, on top of the Cerro Tepétl (hill), is the site of Teotenango, home of the matlazinca and discovered as recently as 1971. |
Teotenango means 'between sacred walls,' probably in honour of the two, 4-metre high walls that run parallel to the south of the construction. Supposedly there are over 500 buildings still to be uncovered at this location.
Two imposing sculptures guard the area. One represents the jaguar, the other, the head of a plumed serpant. In the ceremonial centre there are several pyramids, in the toltec style, and a ball court.
Given the large number of remains of walls, it is thought that Teotenango was not only a ceremonial centre but also an urban zone of great importance.
We recommend a visit to the Museum of Tenango de Arista. Here you can witness the incredibly beautiful ceramic peices that have survived the test of time, as well as the Calender Stone, carved out of basalt stone. |
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| the Archaeological Site of Teotihuacan |
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Located 31 miles to the north-east of the capital, you will find this fascinating archaeological site, whose Aztec name means "Place where Gods are made." |
The principal pyramids are the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon, these being the largest constructions on the Calzada de los Muertos (Road of the Dead), which stretches for almost a mile.
The recent discovery of a tomb with offerings, found underneath the Pyramid of the Moon, could shed further light on this mysterious civilization that flourished here between the years 450 and 150 AD.
Open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily |
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| the Archaeological Site of Texcutzingo |
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Just 6 kilometres from Texcoco, and 26 kilometres from Mexico City, along Federal Highway 136. |
As you leave the central square of Texcoco, take the turning to the left and continue until you reach the former Hacienda Molino de Flores. Once there, take the turning to Tecutzingo, a distance of just 3 kilometres; then take a slow walk up the small, tree covered hill to the top.
Half way up the hill is a cave which goes down around 15 metres. According to the local legend, this is the place where the young Netzahualcoyótl hid at the time of the Spanish invasion of Tepaneca.
Close to the top, you come to the first construction, the baths of Xichitl in a man-made cavity in the rock. Further on, you can admire the site of the terrazas and hanging gardens, until finally reaching the King's bath.
On a flat part of land, further along, are the remains of the palace. There are still the 62 stairways carved from the rock that led to the king's bath and the remains of the acuaduct that carried the water to the baths from the nearby, natural spring; the water was also used for the irrigation of the gardens.
The throne room, further on, is also carved from the rock, and on the top of the hill there is a patch of flattened land used for dances and offerings.
The walk is around two kilometers but not very tiring so anyone can visit without any problems. |
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| the Archaeological Site of Tizatlán |
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Two kilometers north of Tlaxcala, capital of the state of the same name, along Federal Highway 119. |
At the height of Tlaxcala's prehispanic past, there were four estates, Tizatalán was one of them.
The archaeological remains here include a temple, along with two, highly decorated alters of polychromate murals that date back to the 14th Century.
These pictorial representations are very similar to the Borgía Codice, including an especially fascinating depiction of a serpant vomiting blood and dragging the sun behind him. |
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| the Archaeological Site of Tula de Allende |
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Tula de Allende lies 84 kilometres to the northeast of Mexico City, along the Mexico-Queretaro highway (57D), and then along the turning to Tepeji de Ocampo. |
In the midst of a rich mining zone, Tula Otollan, was the capital of the Toltec empire, and its grandeur is considered to be one of the finest of the whole Republic.
The most notable contruction is, without doubt, the pyramid dedicated to Tlahuizcaltantcuhtli, "Lord of the Houses of Daybreak."
Although the temple constructed in his honour no longer remains, visitors can still admire the collosal "Atlantes" that supported the roof. The 'cariátides,' or 'Atlantes,' staues measuring almost five metres in height, represent Tlahuizcaltantcuhtli, characterized as a heavenly warrior. Large pillars with relief work complement the Atlantes.
The Cuatepantli, "Wall of Snakes," has beautifully ploychromed relief work. In the Palace there are the remains of pillars, there is also a ball court at the site.
The site museum houses several sculptures and ceramic peices from the past; relief work of the figure of a warrior and a 'Chac-Mool,' reclining figure used in ceremonial events, amongst other artefacts.
Visits: Daily from 09:00 to 18:00 hour. |
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| the Archaeological Site of Xochicalco |
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Located 38 kilometres to the southeast of Cuernavaca, in the state of Morelos, along Federal Highway 95. |
The hill on which the necropolis of Xochacalco stands was worked by man to render its most advantageous aspects; visitors can still see the terraces, small 'plazas,' pyramids, alters, caves, patios and smaller buildings that perhaps have served as home to priests.
A simple stairway type path leads you up the hill to a small square, at the height of 130 metros, which serves as a kind of entrance come introduction to the principal pyramid. The sculptured figures are of maya influence, around the ball court the Olmeca culture has a more important role.
The buildings having been totally restored are as follows: the 'Pirámide de las Serpientes Emplumadas,' the Pyramid of the plumed Serpant, the 'Juego de Pelota,' ball court.
Other restored buildings are Structure "A," the 'Templo de las Estelas,' the Stellae Temple, the 'Cámara de los Ofrendas,' the offering's chamber, the Southeast Salon, Structure "C," Structure "D" and the Auditorium of the 'Estela de las Glifos,' Glyhps Stella. Supposedly this was the site of the first 'Fuego Nuevo,' new fire ceremony, celebrated throughout Mesoamerica.
Xochicalo was also the location of meetings between cultures, the idea being to maintain and regulate calenders and amalgamate knowledge on subjects including astronomy, other sciences and religion, all of which left their formidable testimony by way of these impressive monuments. If you have more time, and interest, to the north of Xochicalco along a terraced road lies the village of Tetlama, home of a locally produced Codice which illustrates the history of the pilgrimages made to the area by nahuatl-speaking people from other areas. |
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