This gallery explores the territory, the city, and its relationship with other states of the time. The “Lord of the Serpents,” a generic representation of the ruling nobility, introduces the theme of the room. The city’s territory extended from the Sierra of Chichinautztn to the Amacuzac region. Within it, the Xochicalca people obtained all kinds of natural resources to meet their basic needs. Through pre-Hispanic reliefs and supporting graphics, the flora and fauna of the area are illustrated. Raw materials and ceramics speak of Xochicalco's trade relations.

At the center of this gallery stands the striking sculpture of the “Lord in Red,” so named because it is a stylized representation of the sun god in human form, nourished by the earth, and because it was covered in large amounts of cinnabar. This figure introduces the theme of Xochicalco’s social organization, which included nobility, priests, warriors, artisans, farmers, servants, and slaves. The exhibited objects correspond to different social strata, allowing comparisons between them.

Architectural cross-sections are used to display sculptural pieces that once decorated buildings, emphasizing both the architecture and the rich, diverse ornamentation that characterized the city—mostly associated with fertility. The exhibition centers around the "Stela of the Two Glyphs," a monolith engraved with two calendrical glyphs, probably linked to an important event in Xochicalco’s history.

This room explores the tools and objects of daily life, as well as items linked to religious practices and personal adornment. One of the featured pieces is a ceramic jaguar, which exemplifies the creativity and skill of the artisans. It is surrounded by other beautiful ceramic sculptures, such as the frog-shaped jar, the effigy incense burner, and a sculpted head of a fox or coyote. Stone-carved jaguars highlight the artisans’ expertise—especially considering the stone tools used to craft them.

The main theme of this room is Mesoamerican religion. Several sculptures depict this belief system, the most notable being the ring from the East Ballcourt, which represents the cyclical nature of time through macaws and bats, symbolizing day and night. Unusually shaped stelae also stand out: one, marked “10 Death,” symbolizes the end of the day; the other features abstract depictions of the five cosmic trees that support the sky, known as "quincunxes". Other objects—like caiman jaws symbolizing the earth—reflect Xochicalco’s deep religiosity. The prominent worship of Tlaloc is evident in Tlaloc jars, obsidian eccentrics, and stamps highlighting the deity's attributes.

Here, visitors can see a reconstructed house complete with its furnishings and spatial layout. The room showcases construction techniques and various vessels used for storing water and grains or for cooking and serving food. A notable feature is the consistent presence of domestic altars and related items. As part of everyday life, the sculpture known as the “Lord of Xochicalco” is also displayed, offering a glimpse into the physical appearance of the region’s ancient inhabitants.

This transitional space links the Introduction Room with the first group of galleries. It contains six niches featuring pieces considered the “Jewels of Xochicalco,” including evidence of mass production using molds, a Teotihuacan-style mask, a jaguar-shaped brazier, a flower-shaped sculpture, a dish with dancing figures, and a decorative crest shaped like a macaw.

Located between the first and second group of galleries, this area briefly presents the history of researchers and enthusiasts who have studied Xochicalco. A chronological chart helps visitors place Xochicalco in time and in relation to other archaeological sites in Mexico.