The Xochicalco Site Museum exists to complement the experience of those visiting the archeological zone. It does so by informing them about pre-Hispanic history while preserving and protecting remains found on site, as well as obeying the guiding principle of sustainability. Visitors can interact with the museum through exhibits, activities, workshops, conferences, courses, and a cinema and theater.
The Museum’s collection consists of archeological pieces recovered from the zone at different stages of its surveying and excavation. These range from the simplest pottery to highly complex sculptures decorated with intricate symbols.
Conceived by the Mexican architect Rolando J. Dada y Lemus and occupying more than 4.4 acres, it is the first ecological museum in the world. It conveys and uses natural light, solar cells to transform sunlight into electricity, and captures rainwater on its roofs for storage in underground tanks, whilst wastewater is treated for watering the gardens.
The Xochicalco Site Museum has six galleries and was inaugurated in 1996 to display objects from the archeological explorations of recent years, including the sculpture known as the “Red Man.” It also displays the history of Xochicalco from the eighth to the tenth century, as well as analyzing territorial aspects, trade relations with other towns and the close relationship the people of Xochicalco had with the flora and fauna. Moreover, it reveals their different social strata, the importance of war and the priesthood to their society, the city’s architectural elements, their skill at manufactuing both religious and everyday working objects. It evokes the importance of the ritual associated with the Mesoamerican ballgame, as well as conveying the atmosphere of their residential spaces with the recreation of a dwelling.
Visitors can appreciate the eastern side of the pre-Hispanic city through a large window in the building’s introductory gallery, which is also used for displaying temporary exhibits
