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Tizatlán
Place of chalk
The remains found in this archeological zone include two polychrome altars depicting the gods Mictlantecuhtli, Tezcatlipoca and Camaxtli, principal deity of the Tlaxcaltecas.
About the site

The archeological zone of Tizatlan is located on an artificial platform built on the lower slopes of Cerro Oztotl (Cerro Blanco), located on the right bank of the Zahuapan River and at a distance of 1.5 miles from the capital of the present-day state of Tlaxcala.

Archeological evidence points to the continual occupation of the site from the Middle Formative period. However the site principally dates to the Postclassic, from 1100 to 1529. There were significant Chichimec migrations during this period, episodes of conflict and political instability, together with the rise of factions and alliances between different altepemeh ("towns" in Nahuatl), which gave rise to a period of subjugation and conquest by groups entering the valley of Tlaxcala.

Once the Conquest was over, the Teochichimecs settled in Tepectipac, claiming rights over the territory and to tax the people. This had repercussions on relations with other altepemeh in the region which had also conquered some of the surrounding provinces such as Cuauhtinchan, Huexotzingo and Cholula. The territorial expansion of the Teochichimecs from the fourteenth century led to the establishment of new settlements such as Ocotelulco, Tizatlan and Teotlalpan, which over time led to the concentration of military and economic power in the territory.

As one of the four altepetl Tizatlan was an important member of the Tlaxcallan confederation, alongside Ocotelulco, Quiahuiztlan and Tepeticpac. It was at the altepetl of Tizatlan that Xicotencatl, the tlatoani or chief of the day, received Hernán Cortés on his arrival in the Tlaxcala region in 1519.

Polychrome altars were discovered in one of the principal buildings of the archeological site in 1927. This attracted the attention of leading specialists who established archeological programs to better understand the pre-Hispanic settlement of Tizatlan and to locate it in its cultural and regional context.

Over the course of 86 years, a number of archeological excavations have uncovered parts of the palace of Xicotencatl.

310837
INAH-FN
306990
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Medium_sized_JPEG4
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306984
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1300 - 1521

Posclásico Tardío

Did you know...
  • This is one of the few archeological sites where the use of bricks can be seen. The principal structure of the plinth is clad in this material.
Practical information
Temporarily closed
Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 16:00 hrs.

$75.00 pesos


Se localiza al norte de la ciudad de Tlaxcala.

Services
  • +52 (246) 462 9375
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Administrador del Centro INAH Tlaxcala
Omar González Ramírez
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+52 (246) 462 9375, ext. 378022
1869
TIZATLAN_IGLESIA
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Altiplano Central
Entre los restos hallados en esta zona arqueológica destacan dos altares policromados con la representación de Mictlantecuhtli, Tezcatlipoca y Camaxtli, principal deidad de los tlaxcaltecas.
The remains found in this archeological zone include two polychrome altars depicting the gods Mictlantecuhtli, Tezcatlipoca and Camaxtli, principal deity of the Tlaxcaltecas.
Lugar de la tiza
Place of chalk

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