Tututepec facts for kids
Tututepec is an important Mesoamerican archaeological site. This means it's a place where people lived a long time ago, and we can still find old buildings and objects there. It was once the center of a powerful Mixtec kingdom.
Today, the area where Tututepec once stood is now home to a town called Villa de Tututepec de Melchor Ocampo. This town is located in the Mexican state of Oaxaca.
What Was Tututepec?
Tututepec was a very important city for the Mixtec people. It was the main city, or "capital," of a large Mixtec kingdom. This kingdom was very powerful during a time called the Late Postclassic period. This period lasted from about the 12th century to the early 16th century, which is before Europeans arrived in the Americas.
The name Tututepec comes from the Mixtec language, where it is called Yucu Dzaa.
Where Was Tututepec Located?
The ancient city of Tututepec was built in a valley along the Río Verde (Green River). This river flows towards the coast in the region of Oaxaca. Being near the river and the coast helped the kingdom trade and grow.
How Big Was the Kingdom of Tututepec?
At its largest, the city of Tututepec itself covered a huge area, about 21.85 square kilometers. That's like more than 3,000 football fields!
But the kingdom's power reached even further. Its political influence, meaning its control and importance, spread over more than 25,000 square kilometers of the land around it. This made it one of the biggest and most important kingdoms in the Mixtec region during its time.
