Mexico

Huapalcalco

Classical‑period Mesoamerican site in Hidalgo, Mexico

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Historical Context

About

Huapalcalco is a pre-Columbian Mesoamerican archeological site located some 5 kilometers north of Tulancingo in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico. The site was built on the west slope of the "Tecolote" hill; the slope is separated east-west by a ravine that forms two sectors at the foot of the hill and two more on the top, all of which contain archaeological vestiges. The site depicts Teotihuacán influence, and some believe that Topilitzin Quetzalcóatl resided here, before governing Tula. Also it is considered the oldest human occupation site in the state of Hidalgo. It is believed that it must have been a very important civil, religious and housing center. It is known that it was the second Toltec Empire, before Tula. The city was of olmeca-xicalanca origin, or the first settler tribes of the great central plateau of the mountain range. The meaning of such wooden building is not known, it was probably built when the ancient native people settled; perhaps it was a building destined as a Telpochcalli, for military training, justice administration, or learning dances or music. Men passed through the Bering Straits 40 thousand years, 30 thousand years ago, men reached the Mexican plains and about 13 thousand years ago, men reached Huapalcalco in Hidalgo, where vestiges have been located that date back to that period. Huapalcalco is a mesoamerican classical period (100 to 650 CE), formed part of the State of Teotihuacan; however, both its architecture and pottery is not equal to Teotihuacan, i.e. there is Teotihuacan influence, but are not Teotihuacan. It is not known what culture built these monuments; it can only be said that it is closely related to the Teotihuacan culture and had influence of the cultures of the Gulf Coast.

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

Historical Timeline

Journey through time and discover key events in this site's history

Creation of cave paintings

c. 9000 BCE

Tulancingo founded

645 BCE

Huapalcalco Classical occupation

100–650 CE

Toltec decline

after 1116 CE

Aztec takeover of Tulancingo

1416

Peopling of the Mexican plains

c. 30,000 years ago

Chichimeca ascendancy in Tulancingo

c. 1120 CE

Early human migration across Beringia

c. 40,000 years ago

Political reorganization under Quinantzin

1324

Archaeological exploration of Huapalcalco

1954–1959

Evidence of human presence at Huapalcalco

c. 13,000 years ago

Regional reorganization under Itzcoatl and Nezahualcoyotl

1431

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

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Burial and Funerary Structures

Pyramids
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Religious and Ritual Structures

Ceremonial PlatformsTemples
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Artistic and Decorative Features

Cave Paintings
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Domestic and Habitation Structures

TownsCities
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Environmental and Natural Features

Rock SheltersModified CavesRavines
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Astronomical and Timekeeping Structures

Calendar Stones
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Reference

Details

Country

Mexico

Coordinates

20.12° N, -98.36° E