Yucuita, Archaeological site and hill in Nochixtlan Valley, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Yucuita is an archaeological site and hill in the Nochixtlan Valley in Oaxaca, comprising two main complexes: a residential area built on a platform and a ceremonial center with long stone walls. A 60-meter tunnel near the northern stairway passes through the site, serving as both a drainage system and a passage.
The settlement was continuously inhabited from around 1400 to 900 BCE, representing a prolonged period of Mixtec civilization. During this long span, the site's structures evolved gradually over time.
The residential area displays living quarters arranged around a central courtyard, showing how the ruling families of ancient times organized their daily spaces. This layout reflects the social structure of those who held power in the community.
The hill provides several viewpoints from which you can survey the structures and surrounding valley. The terrain requires sure footing, as you need to climb over uneven ground and stone structures.
Two parallel stone walls of different lengths intersect at right angles, forming part of the ceremonial platform. This geometric arrangement suggests the builders possessed precise planning and mathematical knowledge.
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