Mexico

Copilco

Mesoamerican ceremonial centre in the Valley of Mexico

Location

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Historical Context

About

Copilco was an important Mesoamerican ceremonial center, southwest of Mexico City, Mexico. Copilco is located approximately four kilometers north of Cuicuilco. Both were covered by lava from several eruptions of the Xitle volcano three thousand years ago. It is very likely that founding, development and destiny of both cities had common causes, from their geographical location, and chronology. The area is located on the west side of Coyoacán or Coyohuacán (Nahuatl: coyō-hua-cān, 'place of coyotes') in the area covered by the lava from the Xitle volcano (according to Chronicles, one eruption of the volcano occurred on April 24, 76).

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

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Mid-Preclassical village development

c. 800 BCE

Decline begins

1st century BCE

Founding (theories)

c. 100 BCE or c. 500 BCE

Xitle chronicle eruption (dated event)

April 24, 76

Xitle eruption buries Copilco and Cuicuilco

c. 400 CE

Tributary status to Azcapotzalco

1332 CE

Manuel Gamio excavations

August 1917

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Storage Structures

Containers
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Miscellaneous Features

Underground Tunnels
category

Public and Civic Structures

Plazas
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Burial and Funerary Structures

GravesTombs
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Religious and Ritual Structures

TemplesCeremonial Platforms
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Agricultural and Land Use Features

Field Systems
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Domestic and Habitation Structures

VillagesCities
Knowledge Base

Frequently Asked Questions

Reference

Details

Country

Mexico

Coordinates

19.34° N, -99.18° E