ARCHAEOLOGY

Close to Zacatecas you?ll find two pre-Hispanic archaeological zones, which reflect the industrious nature of the societies that built them.

La Quemada (Chicomoztoc) ? Located 50 km (31 mi) southeast of Zacatecas on Highway 54. Inhabited between 800?1200 AD, this archaeological site stands out for its stone structures built on manmade terraces on the slope of a hill. The most impressive edifices are the Ciudadela, the Salon de Columnas, the Juego de Pelota, the Piramide Votiva, the Palacio and the Cuartel. Open daily from 10:00 to 6:30.

Altavista ? Located 55 km (34 mi) northwest of Zacatecas. At this archaeological site the main structures include a rectangular plaza with an altar in the middle of the square, the Salon de las Columnas with 28 columns, and the Pyramide del Sol, which houses a crypt. Open daily from 10:00 to 5:00.