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 Archaeology

Mexico’s most important cultural heritage are without doubts its archeological sites, including sites from the Mayas, Mexicas - also called Aztecas, Zapotecs, Toltecs and other ancient cultures. The country possesses more than 1000 sites of archeological heritage, 187 of them under the protection of the National Institute of Archeology and History. The most famous pre-hispanic ruins probably are Teotihuacán in the state of Mexico, Tajín in Veracruz, Monte Alban in the province of Oaxaca, the ancient city of Palenque in Chiapas and last but not least Chichén Itzá – nominated a wonder of the world – in Yucatán. With their large history of more than 2000 years, those indigenous people still count as the base of the current Mexican wealth. Let us take you on a walk in the footsteps of the ancient cultures of the Aztecs and the Mayas.

• The Mexica or Azteca Route

 

The Mexica people were an ethnic group of Central America who dominated large parts of Mesoamerica from the 14th to the 16th century. Traveling along their paths should include Mexico City - anciently called Tenochtitlán, with the Templo Mayor and the Anthropological Museum. Another highlight of this route is The City of Gods, Teotihuacán, with its Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon, which still represent one of the great mysteries of the world. Visiting the city of Tlatelolco, we will be able to imagine how it became the most important economic center of the Mexica civilization. In the south of Mexico City, there are some more ancient ruins left for you to visit, called Cuicuilco, Malinalco and Xochicalco, the last one also declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO.

• The Mayan Route


The Maya were the probably most developed Mesoamerican civilization, as they are known for a fully developed written language, art and architecture as well as mathematical and astronomical systems. The largest of the sites of the Mayan Route – also called Route Puuc, on the peninsula of Yucatán, is called Uxmal. In the north of this area we can find the city of Mayapán and Chichén Itzá, being nowadays one of the most famous archeological sites, that exhibits a multitude of architectural styles and which once had the most diverse population in the Maya world. Another popular point of interest should be the city of Tulúm, whose site are situated on a tall cliff along the east coast of Yucatán. Further visits can be made to the sites called Cobá, Xcaret and Calakmul, and the list of archeological attractions in the area is still not finished.

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