Xochicalco — Observatory North Vent Shaft (Morelos)
Xochicalco N Vent
Bronze Age to Classical (3000 BCE–500 CE)·Bronze Age urban·🇲🇽 Morelos, Xochicalco, Mexico
image:NASA/JPL-Caltech/UArizona modified by Mariagata1959 · Public domain
About
About Xochicalco — Observatory North Vent Shaft (Morelos)
Xochicalco — Observatory North Vent Shaft (Morelos) in Morelos, Xochicalco, Mexico is a Bronze Age to Classical (3000 BCE–500 CE) ancient city attributed to Bronze Age urban. Systematic survey and photogrammetry document radiocarbon sequence. The site includes a principal enclosure and ancillary necropolis. Dimensions city wall circuit 1.2 km; area 18 ha; area unmeasured ha. Excavation partially-excavated; condition buried. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.
Why it mattersKey Bronze Age urban ancient-city with stratified sequence and landscape setting at 1800 m elevation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Construction technique
- 02Relation to regional network
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre
- 02Territorial marker
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. 2500 BCE
- Period
- Bronze Age to Classical (3000 BCE–500 CE)
- Culture
- Bronze Age urban
- Purpose
- Urban centre with palace and temple precinct
- Rediscovered
- 1916
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 2500 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c. 973 BCE
Major refurbishment / second phase
1887
Modern rediscovery and excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
18.8000° N · 99.3000° W · 1800 m · 3 mapped features
- Principal MonumentstructurePrincipal Monument at Xochicalco — Observatory North Vent Shaft (Morelos) — structure with stratified deposits18.7986° N · 99.2992° W
- Ancillary ComplexcomplexAncillary Complex at Xochicalco — Observatory North Vent Shaft (Morelos) — complex with stratified deposits18.8001° N · 99.2978° W
- Outlier FeatureoutlierOutlier Feature at Xochicalco — Observatory North Vent Shaft (Morelos) — outlier with stratified deposits18.8019° N · 99.2998° W
Gallery