Layers of history whisper secrets from the earth. We stand before the Panteón Municipal Tlalpizahúac. This is not just a cemetery. It’s a window into a rich past. A past stretching back centuries. To the Epiclásico and Early Postclásico periods. Imagine the vibrant life that once thrived here. From 700 AD to 1200 AD. Tlalpizahúac flourished. It rose to prominence after the fall of Teotihuacan. Power shifted. New centers emerged in the Mexico Basin. Xico Cerro Portezuelo and Cerro de la Estrella were among them.
Tlalpizahúac’s story is written in clay. The pottery unearthed here tells a tale of migration and cultural exchange. Early inhabitants used Coyotlatelco ceramics. By the 10th century Mazapa pottery appeared. A distinctive orange-on-cream style emerged. Later still finer orange or light brown vessels appeared. These often came from burial offerings. They show a clear Toltec influence. This suggests significant trade and interaction with Tula.
The name itself is a clue. Tlalpizahúac means “the place where reeds are woven”. Or perhaps “the narrow place”. Historical documents from the 16th and 17th centuries mention Tlalpizahuayan. This is a slightly different spelling. However the location is certainly in this area. The archaeological site and historical Tlalpizahuayan are not the same. Aztec ceramics are scarce here. This makes it different from other nearby settlements.
The site itself is remarkable. It nestles on the south slope of El Pino hill. It’s near what was once the shore of Lake Chalco. The layout follows the hillside for 350 meters. It covers about 20 hectares. Only three hectares reveal significant architectural remains. These are mainly in the lower part of the slope.
Discoveries here have been accidental. In 1987 construction workers stumbled upon the first remnants of the site. They were building a housing development. The uncovering of ancient artifacts led to the involvement of experts. The Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia protected roughly eight hectares. This was the area with the highest concentration of archaeological remains.
One of the most intriguing finds is a cylindrical vase. It has a pedestal base. The ceramic imitates the “fine orange” type. Its decoration is stunning. It’s a low-relief scene in three bands. The top depicts fantastic animals. They represent celestial deities a lizard and a serpent. The bottom features similar creatures. But these represent the underworld a lizard and a jaguar. The central band depicts richly dressed figures. These are priests performing a planting ceremony. Tlāloc and Quetzalcóatl the gods of water and wind respectively oversee the ceremony.
The Panteón Municipal Tlalpizahúac isn’t simply a resting place. It’s a testament to a civilization’s resilience. It’s a place where the echoes of the past resonate. It’s a living museum of history. And now its a place for you to reflect on its legacy.