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Xochicalco is an archaeological site located in the southwest of the state of Morelos, Mexico. It is 38 km southwest of the city of Cuernavaca, Morelos.

In the Nahua language, Xochicalco means “place of the house of flowers”, was one of the most important cities in Mesoamerica.

Along with several buildings of a civic, religious and residential nature, the city was defensive in character, with walls, bastions and moats.

Origins of Xochicalco

During the period known as the Epiclassic Period, dated from 650 to 900 A.D, there was considerable movement of peoples. In different regions of Mesoamerica, new establishments arose whose success depended upon controlling resources and dominating commercial routes.

According to researchers, Xochicalco appears to have been a creation of a confederation of settlements in a large region, now made up of the Mexican states of Guerrero, México, and western Morelos.

This new settlement was founded around 650 A.D. structure. The Xochicalcas carefully traced and planned the city. They built it on a series of artificial terraces on a three limestone rock hills (La Bodega, La Malinche, and Xochicalco) that were easily defensible. The hills were modified through various processes, such as rock extraction, coating and construction. In fact, impressive public and religious structures were erected in a very short time.

Buildings, paths, and stairs were built that allowed access between the terraces and rooftops. Drainage was also established (see below).

The development and apogee of this city-state took place during a short period.

Description of Xochicalco

The city was built on a group of natural hills that were modified. The rugged topography, peaks, slopes, and location permitted the construction of a fortified city. There is evidence of substantial engineering work, terraces and massive retaining walls, and open spaces defined by platforms and pyramidal structures.

Xochicalco is the supreme example of a type of Mesoamerican Epiclassic (650-900 AD) fortified city. Moats, walls, bastions, and artificial terraces were constructed to contain possible attacks. The city was guarded by watchtowers and a large Citadel.

Additionally, the main north-south axis was connected through a complex system of staircases, terraces and ramps.

The highest hill was the main settlement. At the top of the hill are located religious and administrative buildings that are connected to each other.

Acropolis of Xochicalco

The Acropolis was the city’s central administrative precinct.  It is located in the highest level, on the west side. The Acropolis was built on a 6 meter high platform. The complex is made up of a series of buildings, a central patio with lateral rooms. The structures had living quarters which were possibly the residence of the ruling class.  Among these housing complexes are the “palaces” where the ruling nobility resided.  The lower floors had rooms with more humble qualities, in size and quality of materials.

To the east of the Acropolis you can see the Main Plaza. 

Main Plaza

The Main Plaza was built on an enormous artificial hill. As the Main Plaza was probably the most important civic-religious space in the city, political and ceremonial in nature, it had extremely restricted access. Thus, it was accessible only through two defended porticoes.

In the center of the plaza, you can find the Pyramid of the Plumed Serpents. This structure has a distinctive appearance, a building of extraordinary beauty. It is decorated with reliefs on its four faces. Each face is sculpted with representations of large, plumed serpents. The serpents frame seated figures with Maya characteristics. The projecting panel also has seated figures, but less elaborately attired. The upper walls of the temple has figures that are believed to be warriors.

Also, in the center of the plaza is Temple of the Stelae. The stele has two glyphs.

The Great Pyramid is the largest construction on the site. Most likely, as the pyramid is in the Main Plaza, inhabitants gathered to witness public ceremonies.

Southern Side Area

The next level, the intermediate level, is the Plaza of the Stele of the Two Glyphs. In this southern area, you can find the southern ball court, which is the largest at Xochicalco. Beyond the ball court is a group of residential structures known as the Palace. There were residential rooms, kitchens, workshops, and storerooms, and patios. It is thought to have been occupied by a group of nobles. Finally, there are twenty round altars and one square altar. It is thought that the square altar was used for the calculation of the ritual calendar of 260 days.

Also, on the west side, below the Acropolis complex, is a remarkable observatory inside a cave.

Observatory

The observatory cave was designed and excavated into the rock of the hill and conditioned by the Xochicalcas for astronomical observation. The movement of the Sun was studied. The beam of sunlight penetrates directly through the opening above ground, through the tube, and projects the image of the sun on the basement floor of the cave.  At the Equinox the sun’s rays illuminate it creating an extremely bright beam of light. The summer solstice was also signaled.

East Side Complex

To the east of the plaza there is a Central Complex. It includes a monumental ramp paved with 255 stone slabs engraved with representations of various animals, known as the Ramp of the Animals.  There is also a polychrome altar, a temazcal (steam bath), and a cistern. The cistern was used to store rainwater, which was distributed throughout the complex through an elaborate drainage system. You will also find the East Ball Court.

Drainage

Drainage is a very important aspect in Xochicalco. The series of storm drains was used to store water in cisterns, to be used when there was lack of rain.

The drains were made with pre-built pipes that were assembled.  

Finally, the lower part of Xochicalco is encircled by walls, with defended entrances.  The perimeter of the lower part of the hill has moats and high and flat walls to prevent climbing.

On six of the lower hills surrounding Xochicalco, evidence of human occupation has also been found.

Downfall of Xochicalco

Around 900 A.D. there was a period of decline. Causes were accelerated growth, political instability, and the rearrangement of the centers of influence in Mesoamerica and the predominance of militarism. Violent destruction took place.

Subsequently, due to internal rebellions around 1100A.D., Xochicalco was abandoned.

Legacy of Xochicalco

Xochicalco was the city that dominated western Morelos after the abandonment of Teotihuacán.

The growth of Xochicalco was due to its strategic location, which allowed it to establish exchanges with the regions of Michoacán, Guerrero, Oaxaca, the Mayan area and the Gulf and Pacific coasts.

Fundamentally, its development encompassed exchanges between other regions. It is believed to have had a strong cultural kinship with other regions of Mesoamerica, such that relations with Oaxaca, Guerrero, the Pacific coast and the Mayan area were established. Foremost, the elite had a control of a complex artisanal specialization of the city.  Thus, Xochicalco arose as an economic and political power after the weakening of Teotihuacán. In fact, Xochicalco was one of the great centers of power between the years 650 and 850 A.D.

Furthermore, Xochicalco was considered a center of the Mesoamerican cultural synthesis.  The cult of Quetzalcoatl (the feathered serpent) is symbolized in the reliefs of its main temple. You can observe hieroglyphs that represented the relationship with Oaxaca, Veracruz and the Mayan area; a Teotihuacan and Mayan influence.

The knowledge of the Xochicalcos in engineering, astronomy, construction, and aesthetics can be admired in the platforms, temples, palaces and dwellings of the site.

Conservation of Xochicalco

Xochicalco is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a fortified settlement from the Epiclassic Period of Mesoamerica. The property sits on 707 hectares. The Xochicalco archaeological site is located on hilltops in a region with difficult access. This isolation has contributed greatly to the site’s excellent state of conservation and assisted in its effective management until now.

Most of the archaeological zone is national property protected under the 1972 Federal Law on Monuments and Archaeological, Artistic and Historic Zones

The site is managed by the INAH, which works in collaboration with the State of Morelos and its Municipalities.

From 1992 to 1994, a major project was financed by the National Institute for Anthropology and History (INAH). The conservation and consolidation of structures that were excavated earlier and revealed were funded by the project.

The Archaeological Zone of Xochicalco was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. Read about more UNESCO sites in Mexico.

Visit Xochicalco

Xochicalco is famous worldwide. There are many visitors throughout the year. It is a must-see destination in the current state of Morelos.

There are various ways to get to Xochicalco, by bus, taxi or tour. We recommend you get to the Xochicalco archaeological site by hiring a day tour from Mexico City or Cuernavaca.

For those that choose to drive there, you take Highway 95 (Mexico-Acapulco) south, then take the exit to Alpuyeca. You travel 12 kilometers towards Miacatlán. You will see the signs that indicate the Xochicalco exit, then travel about 4 kilometers to arrive at the archaeological zone.

Once there, we recommend you hire a local guide, who can provide more in-depth details. Surely, you will find this site and the cultural life pertaining to it amazing, not to mention the surrounding nature and beautiful landscape.

Its museum, the Xochicalco Site Museum (Museo de Zona Arqueológica de Xochicalco) is the first ecological museum in the world. The museum was developed by Rolando J. Dada y Lemus, a Mexican architect.

The museum building is located on an adjacent hill, at 12,676 m² height. The museum was created as a self-sufficient building in terms of forms and function, as there is no drinking water, drainage, or electricity at the site.

Upon entering, in the Introductory room, you will see a thousand-year-old stone model of the city.  

At the exit of the museum, you can take a cobbled road to the archaeological ruins.  

Author: allmexico.store

References

Archaeology of Native North America by author Dean Snow

INAH

Mexico Desconocido Xochicalco, Patrimonio Cultural de la Humanidad – México Desconocido (mexicodesconocido.com.mx)

The iconography of power at Xochicalco. The pyramid of the plumed serpents by Virginia Smith