Zempoala
Teotihuacan to Aztec (300 – 1521 CE, aqueduct 1554)·Teotihuacano / Aztec / Spanish·🇲🇽 Hidalgo, Mexico
About
About Zempoala
Zempoala in Hidalgo, Mexico is a Teotihuacan to Aztec (300 – 1521 CE, aqueduct 1554) ancient city attributed to Teotihuacano / Aztec / Spanish culture. Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque (UNESCO 2015) 44 km, highest 38.75 m single-level arcade in Americas. Pre-Hispanic Zempoala platforms below. Systematic excavation and published survey document stratified deposits, architectural phasing and georeferenced plans. Built City c.300 CE, Aqueduct 1554–1571; purpose: Pre-Hispanic city and outstanding 1554 Padre Tembleque aqueduct system. Significance includes multi-phase occupation and landscape setting at 2450 m elevation.
Why it mattersAqueduct of Padre Tembleque (UNESCO 2015) 44 km, highest 38.75 m single-level arcade in Americas. Pre-Hispanic Zempoala platforms below.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing at Zempoala
- 02Function and labor organization for ancient-city – ritual vs residential debate
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre model for Teotihuacano / Aztec / Spanish
- 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
- City c.300 CE, Aqueduct 1554–1571
- Period
- Teotihuacan to Aztec (300 – 1521 CE, aqueduct 1554)
- Culture
- Teotihuacano / Aztec / Spanish
- Builders
- Franciscan (aqueduct)
- Purpose
- Pre-Hispanic city and outstanding 1554 Padre Tembleque aqueduct system
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
City c.300 CE, Aqueduct 1554–1571
Initial construction / first occupation
c.1500–1800 CE
Major refurbishment / second occupation phase
On the ground
Structures & features
19.9150° N · 98.6650° W · 2450 m · 3 mapped features
Zempoala — Principal Monument
pyramidPrincipal Monument at Zempoala – pyramid (Teotihuacan to Aztec (300 – 1521 CE, aqueduct 1554)) – Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque (UNESCO 2015) 44 km, highest 38.
19.9160° N · 98.6640° WZempoala — Ancillary Complex
palaceAncillary Complex at Zempoala – palace (Teotihuacan to Aztec (300 – 1521 CE, aqueduct 1554)) – Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque (UNESCO 2015) 44 km, highest 38.
19.9138° N · 98.6658° WZempoala — Outlier Feature
causewayOutlier Feature at Zempoala – causeway (Teotihuacan to Aztec (300 – 1521 CE, aqueduct 1554)) – Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque (UNESCO 2015) 44 km, highest 38.
19.9170° N · 98.6635° W