Yohualichan facts for kids

This is what the ancient city of Yohualichan looks like today.

Yohualichan (which means House of Night in the Nahuatl language) is an amazing ancient place in Mexico. It's an archaeological site, which means it's where we find the remains of an old city built long before Christopher Columbus came to the Americas. You can find Yohualichan in a place called Cuetzalan del Progreso in the state of Puebla.

Discovering Yohualichan: An Ancient City

Yohualichan was once a busy and important city. It's very similar to another, larger ancient city nearby called El Tajín. Both of these cities were at their most powerful and creative during a time historians call the Classic period. This was a time when many ancient cultures in Mexico were growing and building amazing things.

Who Lived in Yohualichan?

Experts believe that the Totonac people were the ones who built and lived in Yohualichan. The Totonac people were an important group in ancient Mexico, known for their art, architecture, and unique way of life. They created the buildings and structures you can still see at Yohualichan today.

When Was Yohualichan Important?

Yohualichan, along with El Tajín, was a very important place during the Classic Period. This period lasted from about 250 AD to 900 AD. During these centuries, the Totonac people built many of the impressive structures that still stand. It was a time of great development for their culture and their cities.

The Classic Period: A Time of Growth

During the Classic Period, cities like Yohualichan grew bigger and became centers for trade, religion, and daily life. People built temples, plazas, and homes. They developed their unique art styles and ways of organizing their society. It was a golden age for many ancient Mexican civilizations, including the Totonac people of Yohualichan.

Why Did Yohualichan Decline?

After the Classic Period ended, around the year 900 AD, things started to change for Yohualichan. Around 1200 AD, new groups of people, known as the Chichimecas, began to move into the area. These groups were often nomadic, meaning they moved from place to place.

The Arrival of the Chichimecas

The arrival of the Chichimecas put pressure on older cities like Yohualichan. These new groups sometimes caused conflicts or changed the way people lived and traded. Because of these changes and pressures, Yohualichan slowly started to lose its power and importance. Over time, the city was gradually left behind.

These ancient masks were found at Yohualichan.

See also

• In Spanish: Yohualichan para niños