Cacaxtla/Xochitecatl
Submitted by mccaffer on Mon, 03/16/2009 - 04:29.
By Geoffrey McCafferty (mccaffer@ucalgary.ca)
Cacaxtla is located in the modern state of Tlaxcala, in the central highlands of Mexico. It is on a hilltop that was fortified using defensive ditches, described in the 16th century chronicles of Diego Munoz Camargo. Munoz Camargo also described the site as a center for the Olmeca-Xicallanca. The site was re-discovered in the 1970s, when looters encountered polychrome murals. Since then the site has been extensively excavated, exposing murals that exhibit strong Maya stylistic elements. Radiocarbon dates indicate that the site was occupied during the Epiclassic period. An adjacent hilltop, Xochitecatl, featured an extension of the same occupation, but also earlier Formative Period occupation.A notable feature of the Xochitecatl Pyramid of the Flowers was a high concentration of female figurines and hundreds of spindle whorls, suggesting affiliation with a female deity cult.
Cacaxtla acropolis under protective roof
Detail of construction sequence from associated mound
Patio with coverings protecting Battle Mural and Edificio B murals
Detail of Battle Mural with Jaguar warriors and fallen Bird warriors
Detail of Jaguar warrior with associated glyphs
Battle Mural scene of Lord 4 Deer capturing female leader of Bird warriors
Detail of female leader of Bird warriors
Female leader of Bird warriors as captive of Lord 4 Deer of Jaguar warriors
Detail of female leader of Bird warriors
Bird lord on feathered serpent from Edificio B
Jaguar lord on jaguar serpent from Edificio B, with plaster door jamb
Detail of stucco frieze of seated lord
Jaguar lord holding Tlaloc vase on door jamb from Edificio B
Lattice-style wall from earlier construction phase
Maya merchant god, God L, with carrying pack from earlier construction phase
Detail of Maya merchant god (drawing by Sharisse McCafferty)
Columns on west side of plaza, with Xochitecatl pyramid in distance
Detail of column with stucco frieze of standing female
Pyramid of the Flowers at Xochitecatl
Staircase of Pyramid of the Flowers with basalt vats at base
View across plaza to Spiral Pyramid