Teopanzolco is located in the city of Cuernavaca, just northeast of the railroad station. The site is an official archaeological zone maintained by the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia. There is a modest admission fee Tuesday-Saturday; admission is free Sundays and the zone is closed Mondays.
The present archaeological zone consists of a public plaza surrounded by various structures, including a large pyramid, numerous low platforms, and other structures. The architecture dates to the Early Aztec period (as determined by the ceramics). The pyramid is one of the few surviving examples of the Aztec twin-stair pyramid style popular in the Early Aztec period, AD 1100-1350 (the Mexica Templo Mayor of Tenochtitlan, located in modern Mexico City, was a Late Aztec structure built in the earlier style). Across the plaza from the pyramid is a row of low stone platforms that were bases for altars. Excavations in one of these turned up a mass sacrificial burial consisting of skulls from decapitated individuals and offerings of pottery vessels and other items. There are several partially-excavated buildings in the zone whose functions are uncertain.
Teopanzolco was an Early Aztec site that was apparently abandoned during the Late Aztec period (AD 1350-1521).
The present archaeological zone consists of a public plaza surrounded by various structures, including a large pyramid, numerous low platforms, and other structures. The architecture dates to the Early Aztec period (as determined by the ceramics). The pyramid is one of the few surviving examples of the Aztec twin-stair pyramid style popular in the Early Aztec period, AD 1100-1350 (the Mexica Templo Mayor of Tenochtitlan, located in modern Mexico City, was a Late Aztec structure built in the earlier style). Across the plaza from the pyramid is a row of low stone platforms that were bases for altars. Excavations in one of these turned up a mass sacrificial burial consisting of skulls from decapitated individuals and offerings of pottery vessels and other items. There are several partially-excavated buildings in the zone whose functions are uncertain.
Teopanzolco was an Early Aztec site that was apparently abandoned during the Late Aztec period (AD 1350-1521).
