Mixcoac (archaeological site) facts for kids
Mixcoac means "viper in the cloud" in the Nahuatl language. It's an ancient site from the Mexica (Aztec) culture. This place was once near Lake Texcoco and was part of the powerful city of Tenochtitlan. When the Spanish conquistadors arrived, Mixcoac was mostly destroyed. Today, you can still see its old foundations in Mexico City, in the San Pedro de los Pinos neighborhood. The name "viper of the cloud" might refer to a celestial serpent or even the Milky Way galaxy. People lived in this area for a very long time, from about 900 BC until 1521 AD.
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Discovering Mixcoac's Past
The Mexica people built Mixcoac not long before the year 1521. We know this from the style of the pottery and buildings found there. The main temple, dedicated to Mixcoatl, was a pyramid. Over time, another building was added to it. Builders often filled the spaces between old and new structures with stones and mud, just like at Tenayuca. Archaeologists have also found the foundations of a second building with 15 rooms. Many walls and adobe (mud-brick) rooms were also discovered.
Long ago, Mixcoac was part of a larger area called Coyohuacan. This was when the Tepanec people from Azcapotzalco ruled the lake region, even before the Mexicas became powerful.
Why Mixcoac Was Important
Mixcoac had a great location! It was close to the big lake and many rivers and streams that flowed down from the mountains to the west. Lots of farming towns grew up around it. People believe that musicians and dancers from the Valley of Mexico often visited Mixcoac. A very popular festival was held here, bringing people from Tenochtitlan, Tlatelolco, and other nearby towns. As part of these celebrations, people would go on hunting trips near the Zacatepec mountain. Before starting the hunt, they would honor Mixcoatl.
Ancient Art and Pottery
The pottery found at Mixcoac looks similar to items from other ancient sites in Mesoamerica, like Zacatenco, El Arbolillo, and Ticomán. There are also beautiful vases and boxes that show a clear influence from the Teotihuacan culture.
Visiting Mixcoac Today
For a long time, the Mixcoac archaeological site was not open to the public. However, in August 2019, the INAH (Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History) announced that the area is now open for visitors. You can visit for free!
See also
- Mixcoac
- List of pre-columbian archaeological sites in Mexico City
