Calixtlahuaca is located in the Toluca valley of highland centlal Mexico, Calixtlahuaca is a particularly important site for studing Postclassic-Period Mesoamerican urbanism. It is one of the very few Aztec period urban sites where both monumental architecture and extensive residential districts are preserved today. Although the site’s public architecture and stone sculpture are closely related to sites in the aztec urban tradition, its urban lay out is radically different from those sites.

Archeaologist Jose Garcia Payon excavated the monumental architecture at Calixtlahuaca in the 1930s and restored a number of temples and other buildings. Most notable are a circular temple dedicated to the Aztec wind god Ehecatl and a large royal palace. The architecture and stone sculpture at the site is similar to that of other middle to date post classic period (AD 1100-1520) Aztec sites in central Mexico.

Calixtlahuaca is also known for the discovery of a ceramic dubbed ” tecaxic Calixtlahuac head” uncovered during garcia Payon’s excavation in the 1930s. Although this artifact has a prominence similar to other items excavated at that time, the implications of this out of place artifact compel main stream meso american scholars to remain sceptical. In the year 2007 a series of houses and terraces were excavated, revealing the form of life of the inhabitants of Calixtlahuaca for the first time.

When you visit this archeaological site make sure you are wearing comfortable shoes and you are carrying lots of drinking water. The entrance to the site is about $5 USD and the site is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM the same as in most archeological sites in Mexico.

Tags: ARCHAEOLOGICAL, CALIXTLAHUACA, ESTADO, MEXICO, Site