Tecoaque, Archaeological site near Calpulalpan, Mexico
This is an archaeological site near Calpulalpan containing the remains of a settlement with several residential structures arranged around a rectangular plaza. A circular temple dedicated to the wind deity sits at the heart of this layout.
In 1520, the local inhabitants captured a Spanish convoy carrying about 550 people, including Cubans and indigenous allies. This event became a turning point in the confrontation between the settlement and European expansion.
The name comes from Nahuatl and refers to a place associated with ritual practices of the settlement's inhabitants. Walking through the site, you can sense how these traditions shaped the community's layout and daily life.
The site is open for viewing with excavated structures and artifacts visible at close range. You should wear sun protection since much of the site lies exposed, and wear sturdy shoes for walking on uneven ground.
Excavations have revealed a fascinating detail about how different animals were handled at the site. The remains of captured pigs show a treatment that differed markedly from human captives, suggesting the inhabitants made careful distinctions in their ritual practices.
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