Xochitecatl

Xochitécatl is an important archaeological zone in the south the Mexican state of Tlaxcala in the community Nativitas, around 27 km from the capital of the neighboring state of Puebla away. The name comes from the Nahuatl consists of Xochitl ( flower) and the suffix - tēcatl denoting inhabitants of a place whose name ends in - TLAN ( at ), and means " He shall dwell with the Blumenort ". The name apparently also refers to the ethnic group related to the Olmeca - Xicallanca Xochiteca.

History of Research

The first excavations were carried out in the framework of an interdisciplinary German - Mexican research project by Bodo Spranz in the 1970s. In the 1990s, work continued on a large scale under the direction of Mari Carmen Serra Puche with large-scale restoration.

The site

The site is located on an extinct volcano some 100 m above the valley floor of the Río Atoyac. The surface of the hill has been artificially modified in ancient times, so as to create a platform space for large constructions. These are mainly pyramidal structures on three sides of a central plaza. To the east is the largest, the flowers pyramid ( Piramide de las Flores ), in the south of the Serpent Pyramid ( Piramide de la Serpiente ), in the west the Spiral Pyramid (La Espiral ). In the middle of the plaza in front of the flower pyramid, the base platform of the volcanoes is ( basamento of the Volcanoes ). Of course, all these names inventions of archaeologists.

The center is originally from the Middle Preclassic ( 800 BC) and was abandoned around 100 for the first time. Another settlement is likely to have begun around 650 during the Epiklassikums simultaneously with the past on the next hill Cacaxtla. During this time the flowers pyramid was placed in the current form and constructed the small platform of the volcanoes in front of her. Just as Cacaxtla also Xochitécatl was abandoned between 900 and 1100. One reason could have been in a strong activity of Popocatepetl. The urbanization Xochitécatl was around this district on the terraced slopes of the mountain and also dates back to the Middle or Late Preclassic.

Among the amazing items Xochitécatl include several large monolithic stone basin (up to 2.5 m in diameter ), as they are also known from other concurrent localities in the wider area. They were found at the foot of the stairs to the flower pyramid. Were partly other stone monuments in the basin.

Noteworthy are also figurines that usually come from the platform of the volcanoes. Several show pregnant women with a square opening in the abdomen through which you see the unborn child ( and remove it ) can.

Flowers pyramid

This is by volume (120 × 165 m ) and height ( about 30 m), the largest pyramid of Xochitécatl. The construction consists of eight sloped step. You can reach the top platform by stairs, scattered on were found in the excavations more than 2000 clay figurines of women in all stages of life (including pregnant women with a window in the stomach). They usually show abundant clothing with various patterns. Inside the construction of more than 30 children's graves were found. In some of the child's mouth greenstone beads were. The building dates back to the Middle Preclassic and was repeatedly modified and extended.

Serpent pyramid

This building dates back to the Middle Preclassic and was originally rectangular in shape. The name comes from a monolithic stone basin, in which lay a damaged stele. On the stele, the forked tongue and the teeth of a snake can be seen. The ascent was made via a ramp, and later via a staircase from Tepetate blocks. Tepetate is a hardened form of volcanic ash.

Spiral pyramid

This building with a circular ground plan consists of nine sloped steps, which are arranged as a spiral. They are also the only old access to the platform at the top of the pyramid. Dating from the Preclassic building was built over several times without changing the character.