Yagul Fortified Hill Acropolis
Yagul Fortified Hill Acropolis North Annex · Yagul Site
Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)·Bronze Age·🇲🇽 Oaxaca, Yagul, Mexico
About
About Yagul Fortified Hill Acropolis
Yagul Fortified Hill Acropolis in Oaxaca, Yagul, Mexico is a Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE) ancient city attributed to Bronze Age. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal walled area 12 ha and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 16.9570N -96.4480E controls access to Oaxaca resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey ancient city for Oaxaca, Yagul, illustrating Bronze Age construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
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. 2800 BCE
- Period
- Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)
- Culture
- Bronze Age
- Purpose
- Regional urban centre controlling trade and administration
- Rediscovered
- 1984 survey
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 2800 BCE
Initial construction of Yagul Fortified Hill Acropolis main structure
c. 1924
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1984–2014
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Yagul Fortified Hill Acropolis) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
16.9570° N · 96.4480° W · 248 m · 4 mapped features
Yagul Fortified Hill Acropolis — Main Structure
structurePrincipal ancient city — Walled area 12 ha with diagnostic masonry/panel
16.9578° N · 96.4471° WYagul Fortified Hill Acropolis — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
16.9560° N · 96.4487° WYagul Fortified Hill Acropolis — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
16.9585° N · 96.4468° WYagul Fortified Hill Acropolis — Hydraulic/Cistern
hydraulicHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir or rock-cut channel associated with site
16.9554° N · 96.4491° W