Calixtlahuaca
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Calixtlahuaca is a classical and post-classical ruin site in the Toluca Valley, around 7 km northwest of Toluca . In the 1930s, excavations were carried out at various sites under the direction of José García Payón. Since 2002, a research project under the direction of Michael E. Smith has been taking place with the aim of taking a complete picture of the settlement as well as selective excavations in residential areas to get to know the social and economic structure.
Round pyramid
The most famous building is a round pyramid located on the lower slope of the Tenisme mountain on the southern edge of the modern town of Calixtlahuaca. Pyramids of this type are usually associated with the wind god Ehecatl . In fact, a fully plastic statue of this deity was also found during the excavations. The pyramid is the result of multiple structures. The innermost construction phase was opened up by a tunnel, the second construction phase is exposed in the rear part of the pyramid. All construction phases were staged. A wide staircase with wide stringer leads up to the top of the pyramid. The coordinates refer to the pyramid.
Tzompantli
A little higher on the mountain is a rectangular pyramid and a small structure in a peculiar shape. Since round stones with faces protrude from its wall, it is assumed that it is a tzompantli , the substructure of a wooden frame on which the skulls of sacrificed victims were attached.
Calmecac
García Payón referred to a large complex in the valley floor as the Calmecac , i.e. a house for the education of young people, especially the upper class, consisting of a pyramid base with a rectangular floor plan and residential buildings around an elongated courtyard. However, the function of this complex has not been proven.
More groups of ruins
On the slope of the mountain and on its top there are other, mostly not excavated building complexes. The site has a small museum.
See also
literature
- José García Payón: La zona arqueológica de Tecaxic-Calixtlahuaca y los matlatzincas: etnología y arqueología (Biblioteca Enciclopédica del Estado de México; Vol. 30). 2nd ed. Toluca. 1979.
Web links
Coordinates: 19 ° 20 ′ 1 ″ N , 99 ° 41 ′ 35 ″ W.