Plazuelas
Plazuelas Archaeological Zone
Epiclassic Bajío 600–900 CE·Bajío Tradition (Northern frontier)·🇲🇽 Guanajuato, Mexico
About
About Plazuelas
Epiclassic Bajío city (600–900 CE) on 34-ha hilltop above Lerma River floodplain, northwestern Mesoamerican frontier linking central Mexico to Zacatecas. 1,324 rock-carved maquetas (scale models of buildings), 3-pyramid ballcourt (I-shaped ballcourt with sunken court) and Casas Tapadas complex with polychrome facade. Walls 2 km with ditch; occupation linked to migration after Teotihuacan fall. Alignment to Cerro Barajas and Tequila volcano.
Why it mattersNorthern Mesoamerican frontier after Teotihuacan illustrating population refuge and maqueta ritual miniature tradition unique in Mesoamerica.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Function of 1,324 maquetas—votive city model vs burial marker
- 02Bajío relation to Teotihuacan refugees vs indigenous development
Theories
- 01Northern frontier refuge model after 550 Teotihuacan collapse
- 02Maquetas as magical substitution for building construction rite
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.600–900 CE
- Period
- Epiclassic Bajío 600–900 CE
- Culture
- Bajío Tradition (Northern frontier)
- Builders
- Bajío peoples (Coyotlatelco-related)
- Purpose
- Frontier hilltop city after Teotihuacan, maqueta votive complex
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.600–900 CE
Initial construction
c. 1558 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
20.4025° N · 101.8247° W · 1730 m · 2 mapped features
Plazuelas central feature
featureMain architectural feature
20.4025° N · 101.8247° WPlazuelas secondary sector
sectorSecondary sector
20.4035° N · 101.8237° W
Gallery