Places to visit in Zacatecas
Archaeology

La Quemada Archaeological Site

La Quemada Archaeological Site
Archaeology

La Quemada Archaeological Site

(492)9225085.

Carr. Federal 54 Zacatecas-Guadalajara , Felipe Angeles , Zacatecas, Zac.. 98054.

$ 3.00

Monday through Sunday 09:00 am - 05:00 pm

Information

La Quemada, which means ‘The Burning,’ is unique as an archaeological area of the Mesoamerican sites because of its mosaics. In 1615, Fray Juan Torquemada identified it as one of the places visited by the Aztecs in their migration to the basin of Mexico, where they left their elderly and children. In 1780, historian and religious personage Clavijero Chicomostoc, associated this place as where the Aztecs stayed for nine years during their trip to the Valley of Anahuac. This speculation led to the popular tradition that identifies "La Quemada" with the mythical place called "La Siete Cuevas.”

Research at the site revealed that it was an important part of the cultural development in Mesoamerica, whose nucleus was the city of Teotihuacan (100 to 650-700 A.D.). Archeological excavations in the area during the eighties revealed that "La Quemada" developed between 300 and 1200 A.D.

The archaeological zone is divided into three structures: The Citadel with a wall that surrounds the north area of the site that is 800 meters long, 4 meters wide, and 6 meters high; The Palace located in the central part of the hill; and the Temple located at the southern end.

Around the site, there are other structures that can be seen which are built with stone, flagstone and mud: the Hall of Columns, the game court, and the Votive Pyramid.

There is a museum located at the archaeological site, whose architectural design was conceived in a way that would integrate it into the natural landscape and environment of the archaeological zone, by the use of material that is characteristic of the buildings that are erected in the area (flagstone, stucco and flat). The museum gives an overview of the archaeological developments in the region through various pieces of information, a scale model of the site, and descriptive videos of the main prehispanic towns in Zacatecas: Loma San Gabriel, Chalchihuites and La Quemada.

Open daily from 10:00 to 5:00.

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Multimedia

Photo Gallery

Type of construction in Talud
Type of construction in Talud
Votive Pyramid
Votive Pyramid
Hall of the columns
Hall of the columns
Museum room
Museum room
La Quemada is located 56 kilometers south of the city of Zacatecas
La Quemada is located 56 kilometers south of the city of Zacatecas
The Citadel
The Citadel
Great solar stairs
Great solar stairs
Archaeological site model
Archaeological site model
Detail of the construction of the site
Detail of the construction of the site
Its maximum apogee between 600 and 850 d.c.
Its maximum apogee between 600 and 850 d.c.
Structure of the group called Acropolis
Structure of the group called Acropolis
Entrance to the museum of the archaeological site
Entrance to the museum of the archaeological site
Entrance to the archaeological zone
Entrance to the archaeological zone
La Quemada was developed between 300 and 1200 d.c.
La Quemada was developed between 300 and 1200 d.c.
Vessels found on the site
Vessels found on the site
Ball game
Ball game
There are many platforms or terraces, it is thought that they were residential areas
There are many platforms or terraces, it is thought that they were residential areas
The wall is 4m high and 3m thick
The wall is 4m high and 3m thick
Hall of the columns
Hall of the columns
Representation of constructions
Representation of constructions
The wall surrounds the northern part of La Ciudadela
The wall surrounds the northern part of La Ciudadela
Ball game
Ball game
La Quemada are built with slabs of reolite
La Quemada are built with slabs of reolite
Contacto

Location on map

(492)9225085.

Carr. Federal 54 Zacatecas-Guadalajara , Felipe Angeles , Zacatecas, Zac.. 98054.