• INAH / Centro INAH Puebla
    INAH / Centro INAH Puebla
  • INAH / Centro INAH Puebla
    INAH / Centro INAH Puebla
  • Archivo técnico de Arqueología-INAH
    Archivo técnico de Arqueología-INAH
Tepexi el Viejo
Tepexi: Split or steep rock
A military fortress built on the upper part of a hill, flanked on three sides by precipitous ravines. Distinguished by its formidable surrounding stone wall. Administrative center of one the most important Popoloca domaines (1200-1500 AD), with monumental architecture.
About the site
The name Tepexi el Viejo is of Nahuatl origin, meaning “split or steep rock,” or more specifically “high place or site with crags or escarpments.” The Tepexi el Viejo archeological site is located in the municipality of Tepexi de Rodríguez, in the state of Puebla. It is built on the extension of a low hill and is surrounded on three sides by deep ravines, one of which forms the bed of the La Xamilpan river.

According to the writings of the chroniclers, Tepexi was probably founded in the late twelfth century. It was thought to be a Mixtec-Popoloca fiefdom.

It was a pre-Hispanic settlement of the Postclassic horizon, built by the Popoloca to protect themselves from Aztec attack. It had an enormous fortified precinct, an area with large stone rooms and smaller buildings around these monumental edifices. This fortified precinct is the most spectacular part, thanks to the high rock walls which surround it. Inside the precinct there is clear evidence of residential areas, plazas, mounds and tombs reflecting the site’s importance.

The site was occupied by the Mexica at the start of the sixteenth century, although the style of the buildings retained typical Popoloca features. Sources mention the conquest of Tepexi in 1503.

The whole area was abandoned shortly after the Spanish captain Gonzalo de Sandoval conquered the extensive Popoloca lands.
1200 - 1521

Posclásico Tardío

Practical information
Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 to 17:00 hrs

Free entry


Se localiza a 8 km al poniente de Tepexi de Rodríguez, Puebla.

Via federal highway number 150 towards Tepeaca; nine km later take the turn off for Tepexi de Rodríguez; two kilometers after the Moralillo ranch, a track leads to the site. Starting from Tepexi de Rodríguez, a dirt road of approximately 16 km leads to the site.

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Profesor investigador Centro INAH Puebla
Eduardo Merlo Juárez
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
+52 (222) 213 7390, ext. 298033
Tepexi el Viejo
Structures
1778
tepexi_portada
320_A_tepexi_centro_inah_2
INAH / Centro INAH Puebla
320_A_tepexi_centro_inah_3
INAH / Centro INAH Puebla
20170917_215443
Archivo técnico de Arqueología-INAH
Altiplano Central
Fortaleza militar en la parte alta de un cerro, flanqueada en tres de sus lados por profundas barrancas, se distingue sobre todo por la formidable muralla de piedra que la rodea. Cabecera de uno de los señoríos popolocas más importantes (1200-1500), posee arquitectura monumental.
A military fortress built on the upper part of a hill, flanked on three sides by precipitous ravines. Distinguished by its formidable surrounding stone wall. Administrative center of one the most important Popoloca domaines (1200-1500 AD), with monumental architecture.
Tepexi: roca partida o escarpada
Tepexi: Split or steep rock

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