Tepozteco    **

This site receives two stars not so much for the scanty ruins themselves but for the fact that this is one of the most interestingly positioned archaeological zones in Mexico. The pyramid of El Tepozteco stands high on the pinnacle of a column of rock overlooking the town of Tepoztlán. The hour-long climb up a sheer flight of steps, not for the faint-hearted, affords incredible views of the valley and the ruin is but a bonus.

History.

Culture: Post-Classic, Central Mexico

The settlement of Tepoztlán, with which Tepozteco had obvious connections with, had been occupied since Classic times, but the mountain-top structure we see today was constructed by the Aztecs after their take-over of the area. It seems that this shrine was devoted to the pulque god Tepozcatl who was a popular deity of the locality.

For more about other Post-Classic Cities of Central Mexico, see Cultural History.

Tour.

El Tepozteco consists of a single square-based, pyramidical structure over-looking the valley plain below.

At the top of the stairway is a room with the stumps of two former columns. Behind it is another smaller chamber, the entrance of which consists of two colourful pillars; the most interesting features at the site. The inner chamber itself is now closed, but contains a low stone bench with freizes that are thought to be ancient calendar glyphs.