Huapalcalco
Huapalcalco Archaeological Zone
Late Formative–Epiclassic 450 BCE–900 CE (Tula antecedent)·Toltec-Chichimec / Teotihuacano·🇲🇽 Hidalgo, Tulancingo de Bravo, Mexico
About
About Huapalcalco
Transition center from Teotihuacan to Tula (450 BCE–1200 CE): 28 m three-step pyramid with Toltec atlante precursors, Huapalcalco cave paintings (12 ka to Classic), obsidian workshop, ballcourt and Teotihuacan-style talud-tablero but with Huastec round corners. Claimed Toltec origin site Xicocotitlan by some; INAH protects cave monolith with Archaic petroglyphs, Toltec-Chichimec ceramics link Tula emergence.
Why it mattersBridges Teotihuacan collapse to Tula rise; only site with direct Archaic cave paintings to Toltec pyramid continuity.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Are Archaic paintings 12 ka authentic
- 02Link to Xicocotitlan founding myth
Theories
- 01Tula Toltecs originate at Huapalcalco Huapalcallan
- 02Cave as Chicomoztoc seven-caves myth origin
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.450 BCE–650 CE pyramid; cave paintings 10000 BCE onward
- Period
- Late Formative–Epiclassic 450 BCE–900 CE (Tula antecedent)
- Culture
- Toltec-Chichimec / Teotihuacano
- Builders
- Toltec-Chichimec
- Purpose
- Pyramid ceremonial center, cave shrine and obsidian workshop
- Abandoned
- c.1200 CE
- Rediscovered
- 1954 Muriel excavations
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
650 CE
Main pyramid talud-tablero construction
1954
Garcia Payon excavations
On the ground
Structures & features
20.1170° N · 98.3624° W · 2160 m · 2 mapped features
Huapalcalco Pyramid
pyramid28 m talud-tablero step pyramid with atlante fragments
20.1175° N · 98.3620° WHuapalcalco Cave Paintings
caveBasalt cave with Archaic petroglyphs and 3000 BCE paintings
20.1165° N · 98.3630° W