Ihuatzio, Archaeological site near Pátzcuaro Lake, Mexico

Ihuatzio is an archaeological site near Pátzcuaro Lake dominated by two rectangular pyramids built on a wide platform forming the western boundary of a large ceremonial plaza. The complex spreads across several areas containing residential spaces, courtyards, and smaller structures that reveal how people organized their settlement.

Ihuatzio shows two occupation periods: Nahuatl-speaking groups between 900 and 1200 CE, then the Purépecha culture at its height from 1200 to 1530 CE. The site sits on an artificially leveled plateau at the western end of Lake Pátzcuaro, near Tzintzuntzan. A chac-mool sculpture of Toltec type was found here, and roads and walls surround the complex.

The site's two pyramids were dedicated to Curicaueri and Xaratanga, deities of the Purépecha pantheon. A chac-mool sculpture, a figure associated with Toltec culture, was found here. The site lies on the southern slopes of Cerro Tariaqueri, just north of the town of Ihuatzio, in the Tzintzuntzan municipality.

The site covers a broad area and is reached via a cobblestone path from the main village, making access straightforward for most visitors. Wear comfortable shoes since exploring the pyramids and different levels involves walking on uneven ground and climbing where needed.

The site lies on an artificially leveled plateau at the southern foot of Cerro Tariaqueri, above the town of Ihuatzio. Excavations also brought to light a chac-mool sculpture, a figure associated with Toltec culture, which is unusual this far west in Michoacán.