Xochicalco – Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl
Xochicalco · Pirámide de Quetzalcóatl, Xochicalco
Epiclassic Mesoamerica 650–900 CE·Post-Teotihuacan Central Mexican (Xochicalco–Cacaxtla sphere, Maya artists?)·🇲🇽 Morelos, Temixco / Miacatlán, Mexico
About
About Xochicalco – Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl
Epiclassic hilltop city 650–900 CE after Teotihuacan fall: leveled ridge with 9-m high Quetzalcoatl Pyramid covered 360° with exquisitely carved plumed serpent panels intertwined with seated Maya dignitaries glyphs – oldest long-count corrections. Largest ballcourt in Morelos 89 m with astronomical alignment, observatory cave with zenith light beam marking equinox. 20,000 inhabitants fortress-city.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Maya glyphs on purely central Mexican pyramid – itinerant artisans?
Theories
- 01Refugee city after Teotihuacan collapse gathered Maya astronomers to reform calendar
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. 650–900 CE (Pyramid 700 CE)
- Period
- Epiclassic Mesoamerica 650–900 CE
- Culture
- Post-Teotihuacan Central Mexican (Xochicalco–Cacaxtla sphere, Maya artists?)
- Purpose
- Fortified hill ritual city and calendrical knowledge centre
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 650–900 CE (Pyramid 700 CE)
Initial construction
c. 1569 CE
Rediscovery
On the ground
Structures & features
18.8039° N · 99.2959° W · 1800 m · 3 mapped features
Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl plumed serpent facade
pyramid9 m pyramid with 360° Quetzalcoatl undulating reliefs
18.8035° N · 99.2959° WObservatory Cave with zenith shaft
observatoryCave observatory 8.5 m light tube for zenith/equinox
18.8042° N · 99.2945° WGreat Ballcourt East 89m
ballcourt89 m ballcourt with rings
18.8040° N · 99.2955° W
Gallery