Yucuita facts for kids
Yucuita is an important ancient site in Mexico. It was built by the Mixtec civilization. The name Yucuita means "Hill of Flowers" in the Mixtec language. This old city is found in the state of Oaxaca.
Yucuita started as a small farming village. People there grew food and used a special stone called obsidian. They used obsidian for tools and weapons. The Mixtec people lived in Yucuita for a very long time. They were there from about 1400 years before the Common Era (BCE) until 900 years after the Common Era (CE). Because it was lived in for so long, Yucuita helps us learn a lot about the Mixtec people.
Contents
Where is Yucuita?
Yucuita is in a flat area of the Sierra Mixteca mountains in Oaxaca. It is about 86 kilometers (53 miles) northeast of the city of Oaxaca. This city is the capital of the state.
What Can You See at Yucuita?
The Mixtec people were not famous for building huge structures. But at Yucuita, there are two main building areas. These areas have been studied a lot by experts since the 1930s. The most recent digs were in the late 1970s.
Homes for Important People
One part of Yucuita was where the leaders lived. It was built on a hill. This area had a large flat space, like a big porch. On this space were the remains of homes. These homes were built around a central open area, like a courtyard.
The Ceremonial Center
The second main area was a special place for ceremonies. Not much of it is left today. You can still see part of a large flat area and two long walls. One wall is about 70 meters (230 feet) long and 4 meters (13 feet) high. Another wall is 52 meters (170 feet) long and meets the first wall at a right angle.
On the north side of the longest wall, there is a narrow stairway. This stairway leads to the top of the flat area. Near the stairs, there is a narrow tunnel. This tunnel is about 60 meters (200 feet) long. It was used to drain water away and also as a secret path.
See Also
- List of oldest buildings in the Americas
- Etlatongo
- Yucuñudahui
