ARCHAEOLOGY
In Tlaxcala?s surroundings you?ll find various archaeological
sites where you can see ruins dating back to the pre-Hispanic era, allowing you
to learn more about the region?s history.
Cacaxtla. Located 19 km (12
mi) west of Tlaxcala and 5 km (3 mi) west of the town
of Santa
Maria Nativitas, off Highway 190. Inhabited
by the Olmeca-Xicalanca people between 600?1000 AD,
this is Tlaxcala?s most important archaeological
site. Its importance is largely due to the well-conserved religious and civic
structures, including the Gran Basamento
(Great Platform), the Edificio de las
Columnas (Building of Columns), the Palacio (Palace), the Patio de los
Altares (Patio of the Altars), el Patio de los Rombos (the Patio of the
Rhombi), the Cuarto de la Escalera
(Stairs Room) and the Templo de Venus (Temple of
Venus). The site is also known for its colorful murals, such as the Mural de la
Batalla (Mural of the Battle), which covers more than
252 meters (822 feet). The mural depicts a battle scene
between the Olmeca-Xicalanca people and a group that
appears to be of Mayan origin. Open daily from 10:00 to 5:00.
Tizatlan. Located 6 km (4 mi) northeast of Tlaxacala off Highway 117, in the town of Tizatlan. In addition to various manuscript paintings, the
structures that stand out at this site are a pair of stucco altars ornamented
with heart and skull figures, frets and feathers. Open Tuesday through Sunday
from 10:00 to 5:00.
Ocotelulco. Located 3 km (2 mi) north of Tlaxcala off the state highway. The main attraction at this
site is a multicolored altar with a large mask representing Xipe
Totec, god of the earth. Here you can also see
paintings of gods Xolotl, Quetzalcoatl and Tlahuizcalpantecuchtli. Open Tuesday through Sunday from
10:00 to 5:00.
Xochitecatl. Located 27 km (17
mi) west of Tlaxcala off the state highway.
This site is adjacent to the knoll where Cacaxtla
lies. Here you?ll find structures with architectural influences from the Totonaca, Cholulteca and Teotihuacan cultures. One of the most impressive buildings is the Pyramide de las Flores (Pyramid of the Flowers), which has the fourth
largest base among Mesoamerican structures. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 to 5:00.
