Tepozteco
Archeological site
Tepozteco
Administrative center of the domain of Tepoztlán, perched high in the sierra of the same name, the construction of houses, palaces, temples and housing complexes was started around 1200 AD. Here they worshipped Ometochtli-Tepoztecatl, god of pulque, fertility and the harvest. A superb view of the surrounding valleys.
Many tribes were forced to migrate due to the failure of Toltec cities and contracting Mesoamerican borders. As part of this process, Nahua groups erupted into the Central Mexican Plateau. The Xochimilca occupied the southern part of the basin of Mexico and the northern part of Morelos between 1200 and 1220, founding or occupying towns such as Tepoztlán, Totolapan, Tlayacapan, Ocuituco, Tetela and Hueyapan. Tepoztlán ruled this valley, and subjugated not only the aforementioned towns, but also Tepecuytlapilco (San Juan Tlacotenco), Cacatepletac (Santa Catarina), Acacueyacan (San Andrés de la Cal), Xocotitlán (Santo Domingo), Amatlán and Santiago Tepetlapan. Its territory was bordered by Xochimilco in the north, Yauhtepec and Xihutepec in the south, Cuaunahuac in the west and Tlayacapan in the east.
The building system used by the inhabitants of Tepoztlán consisted of a process of leveling through terraces. Everything from residential units to the large monumental platforms where the temples rested were built upon these. Finally, the territory’s flat areas were reserved for agriculture.
The ruins at the top of the hill were considered one of the most sacred areas by the ancient Tepoztecs, which is why they erected a shrine to their god Tepoztecatl in this place. This building was so important that, according to certain evidence, it received visitors from Guatemala.
The “man-god” would have lived inside the shrine. This was someone considered to be the bearer of the god’s essence, based on certain characteristics, and was therefore his manifestation on the human plane. It was very likely that this distinguished figure came down a few times a year to join the town’s most solemn celebrations. The rest of the residents would have occupied the shrine intermittently, serving as part of the tribute delivered to the rulers of Tepoztlán. There were also scores of guards, plus servants, who were relieved by people from other “calpulli” or towns under the dominion of Tepoztlán.
- Dirección del Centro INAHVictor Hugo Valencia Valeravictor_valencia@inah.gob.mx+52 (777) 314 4048Administración del Centro INAHSalvador Castro Gómezsalvador_castro@inah.gob.mx+52 (777) 312 3108, ext. 25801ResponsableOmar Rodríguez Camperoomar_rodriguez@inah.gob.mx+52 (777) 314 4046
Templo de Tepoztécatl
It consists of a pyramidal base with two bodies and a temple on top. The second body of the base was built with a slope and an apron board, unlike the first base, which is simple. This slope and apron board were very common during the Postclassic.
Templo de Tepoztécatl
It consists of a pyramidal base with two bodies and a temple on top. The second body of the base was built with a slope and an apron board, unlike the first base, which is simple. This slope and apron board were very common during the Postclassic. The temple has a chamber, an antechamber and a porticoed access. For its construction, the Tepoztecs undertook great leveling works. It is very likely that some areas had to be cut out and others had to be filled in to enlarge the site. Thanks to the large terraces with retaining walls, it was possible to raise the plaza to the west of the temple, as well as to obtain flat areas for the construction of the houses in the eastern section. Most of the construction materials are not found there, so they had to be carried from the source and carried on the shoulders of the tamemes.
Stairway: It is located to the west of the basement. It has wide alfardas and 13 steps, whose small size forced those who climbed the temple to do so with respect and with the body slightly inclined, and to descend sideways, avoiding turning their backs to the deity of the temple. The number of steps is closely related to their cosmogony: the 13 heavens of the Mesoamerican universe and the 13 days of the week of the ritual calendar or Tonalpohualli. That is why, when ascending these steps, the priest climbed each of the heavens until reaching the Omeyocan, the place where everything comes from. At the same time, he traveled through time, for by advancing from the first numeral to the thirteenth, he closed the action of the gods who ruled in each trecena.
Bench with relief decoration: Rectangular structure attached to the interior walls of the temple, which possibly served as an altar to the god Tepoztécatl. Its reliefs are full of meaning (see “Expert opinion”).
Cuartos Sur
The Tepoztécatl Man-God must have lived in these rooms. In them were also kept some implements for the cult. Access was through a small corridor and the doors must have been wide and facing south, which guaranteed greater illumination throughout the day.
Cuartos Sur
The Tepoztécatl Man-God must have lived in these rooms. In them were also kept some implements for the cult. Access was through a small corridor and the doors must have been wide and facing south, which guaranteed greater illumination throughout the day. Due to the collapse of the platforms on which these rooms were placed, part of them have been lost, especially on the south side.
Terrazas habitacionales
Example of how the process of leveling the hill made it possible to erect housing units.
