San Miguel Ixtapan, Archaeological site in Tejupilco, Mexico.
San Miguel Ixtapan is an archaeological site in Tejupilco containing ceremonial structures, a ballgame court, and multiple stone buildings situated across different elevation levels. The layout reveals distinct building phases and the organized arrangement of spaces for different purposes.
The settlement emerged following Teotihuacan's decline and reached its peak around 750 to 900, serving as a connecting point between different regions. Scientific investigations started in 1985 after farmers uncovered ancient structures while working the land.
The settlement shows traces of a place where different cultures met and exchanged ideas, visible in how buildings were arranged and constructed. Visitors can observe the architectural choices that reflect these connections in the layout of the site.
The site's multiple elevation levels require comfortable footwear and time to explore different areas at your own pace. An on-site museum displays over 800 objects including pottery and sculptures recovered during excavations.
Excavations uncovered megalithic stone slabs with T-shaped designs that bear unexpected similarities to stonework found far to the south. This discovery suggests connections that may have extended beyond typical trade networks of the time.
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