Huapalcalco
| Olmec (Xicalanca) Culture – Archaeological Site | ||
| Name: | Huapalcalco Archaeological Site | |
| Type | Mesoamerican archaeology | |
| Location | Huapalcalco, Tulancingo, Hidalgo Mexico
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| Region | Mesoamerica | |
| Coordinates | 20°8′N 98°22′W / 20.133°N 98.367°WCoordinates: 20°8′N 98°22′W / 20.133°N 98.367°W | |
| Culture | Olmeca-Xicalanca – Toltec | |
| Language | ||
| Chronology | 100 – 650 CE | |
| Period | Mesoamerican Preclassical, Classical, Postclassical | |
| Apogee | ||
| INAH Web Page | Huapalcalco Archaeological Site | |
Huapalcalco is an archeological site located some 5 kilometers north of Tulancingo in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico.
The site was built on the west slope of the "Tecolote" hill; the slope is separated east-west by a ravine that forms two sectors at the foot of the hill and two more on the top, all of which contain archaeological vestiges.
The site depicts Teotihuacán influence, and some believe that Topilitzin Quetzalcóatl resided here, before governing Tula. Also it is considered the oldest human occupation site in the Hidalgo State.
It is believed that it must have been a very important civil, religious and housing center. It is known that it was the second Toltec Empire, before Tula.
The city was of olmeca-xicalanca origin, or the first settler tribes of the great central plateau of the mountain range. The meaning of such wooden building is not known, it was probably built when the ancient native people settled; perhaps it was a building destined as a Telpochcalli, for military training, justice administration, or learning dances or music.
Men passed through the Bering Straits 40 thousand years, 30 thousand years ago, men reached the Mexican plains and about 13 thousand years ago, men reached Huapalcalco in the Hidalgo, State, where vestiges have been located that date back to that period.
However, Huapalcalco is a mesoamerican classical period (100 to 650 CE), formed part of the State Teotihuacan, however, both its architecture and pottery is not equal to Teotihuacan, i.e. there is Teotihuacan influence, but are not Teotihuacan. It is not known what culture built these monuments; it can only be said that it is closely related to the Teotihuacan culture and had influence of the cultures of the Gulf Coast.
During the archaic period (80000 – 10000 BCE) the first human settlement occurred in the valley. It was until the mesoamerican preclassical period (1200 BCE to 200 CE) that a clear division is made, as to the people’s occupation. During the classical period (200-600 CE) Tulancingo already was an important trade center, with roads and residential areas. It is during this period that Huapalcalco was built, of which today remain a three bodied pyramid and stairway, with Toltec style.
Tulancingo, was a forerunner of the Teotihuacan civilization. The name derives from the Nahuatl words "tule" and "tzintle" which mean "in or behind the reeds." This is confirmed by its Aztec glyph.
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Wikipedia