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Published by the Hispanic Institute of Social Issues in Phoenix, Arizona
| ARCHAEOLOGY | Mexico City |
Aztec Ruins in Mexico City Continue to Yield
Amazing New Discoveries
Amazing New Discoveries
Phoenix, Arizona – The surrounding ruins of the Great Temple in Mexico City have yielded
another amazing archaeological discovery.
Archaeologists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) unveiled a
circular platform of great dimensions they estimate is about 500 years old.
The structure measures 15 meters in diameter and it is decorated with 19 sculptures of
stone serpents. Archaeologists believe the platform may be part of a cuauhxicalco —an altar-
like stone vessel or ceremonial building— of the sacred precinct of the Meshicas or Aztecs
where tlatoanis or rulers were buried.
The finding took place in a lot in front of the ruins of the temple, where archaeologists have
been doing excavations as part of the ongoing Urban Archaeology Program (PAU).
The lot, known as "Manuel Gamio Plaza", is in the area located between the Cathedral, the
ruins of the Great Temple and several buildings from the colonial era.
INAH’s CEO Alfonso de Maria y Campos, informed that the pre-Hispanic circular structure is
about 50 feet in diameter and 5 feet in height. It was found 16 feet deep in the ground.
The platform corresponds to a building stage of the Great Temple known as “IV B” (1469-
1481), which was later dismantled during construction works to expand the temple.
Maria y Campos said the finding is of great relevance since it will allow experts to come up
with a new blueprint of Tenochtitlan, as the Meshicas called their city.
Based on ancient chronicles, there were 78 building structures that made up the Meshicas
sacred precinct. The discovery is also expected to yield new data on the history, architecture,
and rituals of the Meshica culture.
Archaeologist Raul Barrera, who is in charge of Urban Archeology Program, explained that on
top of the circular structure two stone plaques were found, which probably were previously
built-in on the wall.
The platform was made up of tezontle —or volcanic rock— placed together with mud and with
a stucco covering. It has 19 sculptures in the form of stone serpents, which were inserted as
architectural decorations. Photo Gallery
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another amazing archaeological discovery.
Archaeologists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) unveiled a
circular platform of great dimensions they estimate is about 500 years old.
The structure measures 15 meters in diameter and it is decorated with 19 sculptures of
stone serpents. Archaeologists believe the platform may be part of a cuauhxicalco —an altar-
like stone vessel or ceremonial building— of the sacred precinct of the Meshicas or Aztecs
where tlatoanis or rulers were buried.
The finding took place in a lot in front of the ruins of the temple, where archaeologists have
been doing excavations as part of the ongoing Urban Archaeology Program (PAU).
The lot, known as "Manuel Gamio Plaza", is in the area located between the Cathedral, the
ruins of the Great Temple and several buildings from the colonial era.
INAH’s CEO Alfonso de Maria y Campos, informed that the pre-Hispanic circular structure is
about 50 feet in diameter and 5 feet in height. It was found 16 feet deep in the ground.
The platform corresponds to a building stage of the Great Temple known as “IV B” (1469-
1481), which was later dismantled during construction works to expand the temple.
Maria y Campos said the finding is of great relevance since it will allow experts to come up
with a new blueprint of Tenochtitlan, as the Meshicas called their city.
Based on ancient chronicles, there were 78 building structures that made up the Meshicas
sacred precinct. The discovery is also expected to yield new data on the history, architecture,
and rituals of the Meshica culture.
Archaeologist Raul Barrera, who is in charge of Urban Archeology Program, explained that on
top of the circular structure two stone plaques were found, which probably were previously
built-in on the wall.
The platform was made up of tezontle —or volcanic rock— placed together with mud and with
a stucco covering. It has 19 sculptures in the form of stone serpents, which were inserted as
architectural decorations. Photo Gallery
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| Photo: Héctor Montaño | INAH |
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