Cempoala, Archaeological site in Veracruz, Mexico
The complex includes multiple stone structures covered with white lime made from shells, creating bright surfaces visible across the landscape.
Between 1575 and 1577, a devastating smallpox epidemic caused the abandonment of this Totonac capital until its rediscovery by Francisco del Paso y Troncoso.
The Temple of Skulls features hundreds of stucco craniums decorating its facade, demonstrating the architectural practices of pre-Hispanic Mesoamerican societies.
The archaeological zone remains open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 to 17:00, located 48 kilometers north of Veracruz port in Ursulo Galvan municipality.
Three circular stone rings at the site served as astronomical instruments for tracking celestial movements and calculating different temporal cycles.
Location: Veracruz
GPS coordinates: 19.44708,-96.40411
Latest update: May 27, 2025 08:39
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