Explore Divine Roots: Top Archaeological Spots to Discover in Mexico City
Discovering Ancient Wonders in Mexico City
Mexico City, a bustling metropolis, is home to some of the most significant archaeological sites in the world. One such site, the Ehecatl's Shrine, was discovered in 1967 during the construction of the Mexico City Metro's Line 2, located near José María Pino Suárez Station in the Centro Histórico, Cuauhtémoc.
The Ehecatl's Shrine is dedicated to Ehecatl, the god Quetzalcoatl's wind incarnation. This shrine, though tiny, is a testament to the rich history and religious practices of the ancient Mexica civilization.
Another important archaeological site is Tlatelolco, known for being the second in importance in Mexico City, after Templo Mayor. Founded around the 14th century, Tlatelolco was home to the greatest marketplace in Mesoamerica. Dozens of human remains have been found in the Tlatelolco area, presumably belonging to warriors who fought the Spaniards upon their arrival.
The Tlatelolco archaeological site is located in the heart of Plaza de las Tres Culturas in Cuauhtémoc. Remains at Tlatelolco suggest it was previously inhabited before the 14th century. Most of the stone used for these temples was later used for building the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral in the present-day Zócalo after the Spanish invasion.
Tlatelolco is not the only ancient site in the southern part of Mexico City. The archaeological sites of Cuicuilco are located in the Borough of Tlalpan, along Av. Insurgentes Sur S/N, Espacio Ecológico Cuicuilco. Cuicuilco is the oldest site in central Mexico, with the 'first ceremonial center of the Valley of Mexico,' as documented by Mexico City's government. Unfortunately, the Cuicuilca civilization was destroyed after the explosion of the Xitle volcano.
In the southern part of Mexico City, another significant site can be found - Mixcoac. Originally founded on the shores of Lake Texcoco, Mixcoac became an important religious and devotional site for the Mexica of the Triple Alliance during the 15th century. The pyramid dedicated to Mixcoatl can be visited by tourists in Mixcoac, located at Pirámide 7, San Pedro de los Pinos, Benito Juárez.
Lastly, the Templo Mayor archaeological site, designed by Pedro Ramírez Vázquez, is located in Mexico City's Centro Histórico. Originally, two pyramids stood at the Templo Mayor site, one dedicated to Huitzilopochtli, the God of War, and the other to Tláloc, the God of Water.
These archaeological sites offer a glimpse into the rich history and cultural heritage of Mexico City, inviting us to appreciate and learn from the past as we move forward.
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