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Cholula (Mesoamerican site)
19.0600° N, -98.3100° E
About
Cholula (Spanish: [tʃoˈlula] ; Nahuatl languages: Cholōllān, Otomi: Mä'ragi) was an important city of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, dating back to at least the 2nd century BCE, with settlement as a village going back at least some thousand years earlier. The site of Cholula is just west of the modern city of Puebla and served as a trading outpost. Its immense pyramid is the largest such structure in the Americas, and the largest pyramid structure by volume in the world, measuring 4.45 million cubic meters. Cholula was one of the key religious centers of ancient Mexico.
Historical Timeline
Journey through time and discover key events in this site's history
Rise to regional centre
600 BCE–700 CE
Earliest attested occupation
2nd century BCE
Initial Great Pyramid construction
Terminal Formative Period
Tlachihualtepetl phase
CE 700–1200
Tolteca-Chichimeca conquest
CE 1200
Secession to the Aztec sphere
1517
Massacre and sack of Cholula
1519
Mountjoy waterlogged deposit discovery
1970s
Archaeological Features
Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site
Defensive Structures
Public and Civic Structures
Burial and Funerary Structures
Industrial and Craft Structures
Religious and Ritual Structures
Artistic and Decorative Features
Agricultural and Land Use Features
Environmental and Natural Features
Transportation and Communication Structures
Frequently Asked Questions
Plan Your Visit
Tours, travel arrangements, and practical information
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