Tenayuca Double-Stair Pyramid (El Cerrito)
Tenayuca · Oxtotipac · Tenayocan
Late Postclassic Aztec (Chichimec-Mexica)·Chichimec / Aztec (Tenayuca-Culhua-Mexica)·🇲🇽 México State, Tlalnepantla, Tenayuca, Mexico
About
About Tenayuca Double-Stair Pyramid (El Cerrito)
Extraordinary Aztec double-stair pyramid at Tenayuca (Tenayocan) on Valley of Mexico shoreline — 31.7 × 42 m base, 21 m high six stages with twin shrines to Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc (precursor to Templo Mayor), encircled by wall of 138 feathered serpents coiled Xi — Xihcoatl. Chichimec capital 1224 CE by Xolotl, rebuilt 8 times (1250–1500) each encasing earlier pyramid like Russian doll; preserves Aztec construction sequence visible in section cuts. Excavation by INAH reveals 104 serpent heads still with pigment. Links Chichimec to Mexica architecture.
Why it mattersFinest preserved Aztec serpent wall; eight nested pyramids document Aztec encasing construction; Chichimec to Mexica stylistic bridge to Templo Mayor.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Which nested stage is Chichimec vs early Aztec
- 02Pigment original colours of serpents
Theories
- 01Tenayuca as Templo Mayor prototype
- 02Chichimec migration archaeology via pyramids
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. 1224–1519 CE (Chichimec foundation to Late Aztec, 8 phases 1250–1500)
- Period
- Late Postclassic Aztec (Chichimec-Mexica)
- Culture
- Chichimec / Aztec (Tenayuca-Culhua-Mexica)
- Builders
- Chichimec lord Xolotl then Aztec kings
- Purpose
- Double shrine pyramid to Huitzilopochtli/Tlaloc with Xiuhcoatl wall
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 1224–1519 CE (Chichimec foundation to Late Aztec, 8 phases 1250–1500)
Initial construction
c. 1533 CE
Abandonment
On the ground
Structures & features
19.5322° N · 99.1685° W · 2250 m · 3 mapped features
Six-stage outer pyramid
pyramid21 m twin shrine outermost phase
19.5322° N · 99.1685° WSerpent wall Coatepantli
wall138 coiled serpents around base
19.5320° N · 99.1684° WNested inner pyramids section
sectionExposed earlier stages in east cut
19.5323° N · 99.1686° W
Gallery