
Xochipala
Famed for the mastery of its artisans who made extraordinary sculptures, masks, figures of animals and objects for rituals from jade and jadeite. It presents remarkable palace architecture and had the largest Mezcala culture population, in what is today the state of Guerrero.
During its apogee this site had an area of four and a half acres, and its buildings had an idiosyncratic architectural style. Some rooms and plinths are decorated with lines of circular stone pieces, known as studs; others are lined with a type of scapular panel, while still others are roofed with overhanging slabs (this system is known as a false vault).
La Organera-Xochipala emerged as a result of various factors, most important of which was territorial defense. Together with other contemporary sites, it protected the cultivated lands of the El Llano valley.
Five stages of construction have been identified in this ancient city, from the Early Classic to the Late Postclassic, although the causes of its neglect and decay are unknown. The palace architecture is notable, with porticoes and pilasters, and a circulation system adapted to the uneven terrain using stucco-covered staircases.
Experts have defined two ceramic traditions on the site. The first was in between the Tejas and Xaltipan phases corresponding to the Middle Preclassic (585 BC) and the Classic. The second, based on the Tepenacaxtla phase, was the Late Xochipala phase in the Early Postclassic (965), with a predominance of granular white ceramics.
- Dirección del Centro INAHHéctor Romeo Torres Calderónhector_torres@inah.gob.mx+52 (747) 471 7121
Estructura 5
It consists of a base of vertical walls on which there is another rectangular porticoed room, which closes Courtyard 1 to the east.
It consists of a base of vertical walls on which there is another rectangular porticoed room, which closes Courtyard 1 to the east.
Estructura 11
It is considered the most complete example of this peculiar architectural style, since it consists of a base of two bodies in slope, decorated with species of boards in simple scapular. In its interior was placed, in a horizontal way, a row of stone nails.
It is considered the most complete example of this peculiar architectural style, since it consists of a base of two bodies in slope, decorated with species of boards in simple scapular. In its interior was placed, in a horizontal way, a row of stone nails.
Estructura 14
It consists of the remains of a stairway with alfardas. On the right (to the north) there is a corridor roofed with a vault in saledizo or false vault.
Corridor with false vault: Interior of the corridor roofed with a vault in saledizo or false vault.
It consists of the remains of a stairway with alfardas. On the right (to the north) there is a corridor roofed with a vault in saledizo or false vault.
Corridor with false vault: Interior of the corridor roofed with a vault in saledizo or false vault.
Estructura 23
It is located at the eastern end of Courtyard 6. It has a rectangular floor plan and is attached to Structure 19 at its northern end.
It is located at the eastern end of Courtyard 6. It has a rectangular floor plan and is attached to Structure 19 at its northern end.



