Texcotzingo
Late Postclassic Aztec (1400 – 1521 CE)·Acolhua (Texcoco)·🇲🇽 State of Mexico, Mexico
About
About Texcotzingo
Texcotzingo in State of Mexico, Mexico is a Late Postclassic Aztec (1400 – 1521 CE) hydraulic attributed to Acolhua (Texcoco) culture. Nezahualcoyotl's 1431 pleasure garden: 122 ha terraces, baths carved in rock, aqueduct from Tezcutzinco spring, poetic inscriptions. Systematic excavation and published survey document stratified deposits, architectural phasing and georeferenced plans. Built c.1431–1460 CE; purpose: Royal botanical garden, bath and hydraulic terraces of Nezahualcoyotl. Significance includes multi-phase occupation and landscape setting at 2350 m elevation.
Why it mattersNezahualcoyotl's 1431 pleasure garden: 122 ha terraces, baths carved in rock, aqueduct from Tezcutzinco spring, poetic inscriptions.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing at Texcotzingo
- 02Function and labor organization for hydraulic – ritual vs residential debate
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre model for Acolhua (Texcoco)
- 02Territorial marker / elite residence hypothesis
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.1431–1460 CE
- Period
- Late Postclassic Aztec (1400 – 1521 CE)
- Culture
- Acolhua (Texcoco)
- Builders
- Nezahualcoyotl
- Purpose
- Royal botanical garden, bath and hydraulic terraces of Nezahualcoyotl
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.1431–1460 CE
Initial construction / first occupation
c.1500–1800 CE
Major refurbishment / second occupation phase
On the ground
Structures & features
19.4970° N · 98.8170° W · 2350 m · 3 mapped features
Texcotzingo — Principal Monument
aqueductPrincipal Monument at Texcotzingo – aqueduct (Late Postclassic Aztec (1400 – 1521 CE)) – Nezahualcoyotl's 1431 pleasure garden: 122 ha terraces, bath
19.4980° N · 98.8160° WTexcotzingo — Ancillary Complex
canalAncillary Complex at Texcotzingo – canal (Late Postclassic Aztec (1400 – 1521 CE)) – Nezahualcoyotl's 1431 pleasure garden: 122 ha terraces, bath
19.4958° N · 98.8178° WTexcotzingo — Outlier Feature
terraceOutlier Feature at Texcotzingo – terrace (Late Postclassic Aztec (1400 – 1521 CE)) – Nezahualcoyotl's 1431 pleasure garden: 122 ha terraces, bath
19.4990° N · 98.8155° W