Xochicalco Terrace — Leaning Pyramid Feathered Serpent
Epiclassic (650–900 CE) Teotihuacan fall hybrid·Epiclassic Xochicalco (Olmeca-Xicalanca + Teotihuacan survivors)·🇲🇽 Morelos, near Xochicalco, Miacatlán, Hill terrace above Cuernavaca, Mexico
About
About Xochicalco Terrace — Leaning Pyramid Feathered Serpent
Xochicalco excavated by Sáenz 1960s, Quetzalcoatl pyramid 700 Coiled Serpents. Recorded context — Period: Epiclassic (650–900 CE) Teotihuacan fall hybrid; Culture: Epiclassic Xochicalco (Olmeca-Xicalanca + Teotihuacan survivors); Field status: excavated; Materials: andesite, volcanic tuff, stucco winding serpent relief; Condition: preserved — UNESCO.
Why it mattersKey Epiclassic Xochicalco (Olmeca-Xicalanca + Teotihuacan survivors) pyramid with stratified sequence and regional typology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Collapse cause
- 02Chronology and phasing
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre
- 02Seasonal gathering
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. 700 CE Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl
- Period
- Epiclassic (650–900 CE) Teotihuacan fall hybrid
- Culture
- Epiclassic Xochicalco (Olmeca-Xicalanca + Teotihuacan survivors)
- Purpose
- 3-tier feathered-serpent pyramid (21 m base × 9 m high) with 8 plunging feathered serpents coiled with seated Mayas — finest feathered serpent façade in central Mexico
- Rediscovered
- Modern excavation 1951
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 700 CE Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl
Initial construction / first occupation at Xochicalco Terrace — Leaning Pyramid Feathered Serpent
c. 800 CE major extension
Major expansion / refurbishment at Xochicalco Terrace — Leaning Pyramid Feathered Serpent
On the ground
Structures & features
18.8040° N · 99.2960° W · 1800 m · 4 mapped features
- Xochicalco Terrace — Leaning Pyramid Feathered Serpent — Principal Pyramidpyramidpyramid at Xochicalco Terrace — Leaning Pyramid Feathered Serpent — subsidiary complex18.8057° N · 99.2956° W
- Xochicalco Terrace — Leaning Pyramid Feathered Serpent — Chamber Annex 2chamberchamber at Xochicalco Terrace — Leaning Pyramid Feathered Serpent — outlier feature18.8057° N · 99.2947° W
- Xochicalco Terrace — Leaning Pyramid Feathered Serpent — Causeway Annex 3causewaycauseway at Xochicalco Terrace — Leaning Pyramid Feathered Serpent — subsidiary complex18.8032° N · 99.2954° W
- Xochicalco Terrace — Leaning Pyramid Feathered Serpent — Eastern Pyramidpyramidpyramid at Xochicalco Terrace — Leaning Pyramid Feathered Serpent — primary structure18.8047° N · 99.2957° W
Gallery