Archaeological Monuments Zone of Xochicalco

World Heritage Research

Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Archaeological Monuments Zone of Xochicalco from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.

• A Dual Measurement System: Standardization and Architectural Planning in Xochicalco

  Research at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Xochicalco reveals a dual measurement system used during its Epiclassic period, featuring two primary units: U7 (1.47 m) and U8 (1.68 m). These units show striking similarities to the Mayan zapal and Nahua maitl, suggesting shared Mesoamerican measurement traditions. The study identified patterns in their application, linking them to structural orientation, functionality, and construction techniques, indicating meticulous planning with potential symbolic significance. Multiples of three, four, nine, and twelve times these base units imply the use of standardized tools, offering new insights into Mesoamerican architectural practices and cultural interactions.

  Lucet, G., & Alvarado-León, C. I. (2025). A Dual Measurement System: Standardization and Architectural Planning in Xochicalco. Ancient Mesoamerica, 36(1), 123–139. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0956536125000100

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• Financiarización y nueva geografía minera de oro en las inmediaciones de la Zona Arqueológica de Xochicalco, Morelos - México

  A significant expansion of gold mining concessions, driven by financial speculation and state permissiveness, led to a 318% increase in mined areas near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Xochicalco between 2002 and 2009. This rapid growth triggered severe social conflict in 2012, highlighting the urgent need for legislative reforms to restore local community control over their territories. The study analyzed financial records and conducted fieldwork to uncover the link between mining financiarization and societal disputes, emphasizing the broader implications of unchecked mining expansion on heritage sites.

  Téllez Ramírez, I., & Sánchez Salazar, M. T. (2022). Financiarización y nueva geografía minera de oro en las inmediaciones de la Zona Arqueológica de Xochicalco, Morelos - México. Cuadernos de Geografía: Revista Colombiana de Geografía, 31(1), 146–163. https://doi.org/10.15446/rcdg.v31n1.85852

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• Delineation of Fractures Using a 2D GPR Processing Strategy for 3D Imaging: Weak Zones within Carbonates at the Archaeological Site of Xochicalco in Mexico

  Research at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Xochicalco, Mexico, has identified critical weak zones within carbonate rocks that threaten archaeological stability. Using a novel 2D Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) processing strategy—specifically multipath summation on densely spaced parallel lines—the study successfully imaged fractures and potential caverns at depths of 1.6m and 1.8m. These findings suggest that cracks in the Quetzalcoatl Temple, which appeared after a significant earthquake in 2017, are linked to underlying structural weaknesses in the carbonate bedrock. The approach, employing a 400 MHz monostatic antenna, offers a precise method for assessing natural hazard impacts on cultural heritage sites.

  Economou, N., Bano, M., & Ortega-Ramirez, J. (2021). Delineation of Fractures Using a 2D GPR Processing Strategy for 3D Imaging: Weak Zones within Carbonates at the Archaeological Site of Xochicalco in Mexico. Applied Sciences, 11(13), 5893. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11135893

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• The Stuccoed and Painted Benches of Xochicalco, Morelos, Mexico

  Archaeological research at Xochicalco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Morelos, Mexico, reveals that intricately stuccoed and painted benches from the Epiclassic period (600–900 CE) likely served as royal seats or thrones. These benches, adorned with rich iconography and hieroglyphic signs, were pivotal in displaying religious, mythological, and historical narratives that reinforced hierarchical power structures. The study suggests parallels between Xochicalco's benches and those found in the Terminal Classic Maya city of Chichen Itza, indicating potential interregional cultural exchanges during this period. The research combines iconographic and epigraphic analysis to interpret the symbolic significance of these artifacts, offering new insights into the political and ceremonial functions of monumental architecture in Mesoamerica.

  Nielsen, J., Alvarado León, C., & Helmke, C. (2020). THE STUCCOED AND PAINTED BENCHES OF XOCHICALCO, MORELOS, MEXICO. Ancient Mesoamerica, 32(2), 249–268. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0956536120000012

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• Xochicalco / Xochelkalhme

  A collaborative effort by professionals from diverse disciplines, including linguistics and literature, has successfully created a bilingual children's book that bridges Mexican Sign Language (LSM) or indigenous languages with the rich pre-Hispanic cultural heritage of Mexico. The book, set against the backdrop of the archaeological site of Xochicalco, features narration in Spanish and Nahuatl, accompanied by meticulous illustrations. This innovative approach aims to make complex historical narratives accessible and engaging for a broader audience, including those who rely on sign language or indigenous languages for communication.

  Lorenzana Molina, D., & Cruz-Aldrete, M. (2020). Xochicalco / Xochelkalhme. https://doi.org/10.30973/2020/xochicalco-xochelkalhme

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• Ciclos culturales y astronómicos en Xochicalco, Morelos

  Research at Xochicalco reveals sophisticated calendar systems akin to those used by central Mexican and Oaxacan societies during the 6th century CE, with over 115 dates inscribed on its reliefs. The study builds upon Alfonso Caso's foundational work (1967), refining and organizing day signs while addressing a critical gap in Mesoamerican calendrical studies: whether the site's inhabitants recognized the difference between the tropical year (365.2422 days) and the civil year (365 days). Through rigorous analysis of glific texts on stones, the research explores how Xochicalco's advanced astronomical knowledge—evidenced by precise solar cycle calculations—may have influenced cultural, agricultural, and religious practices, while also questioning whether the slight annual drift was corrected or tolerated. This work sheds light on the precision and societal significance of calendrical systems in pre-Hispanic Mesoamerica.

  Morante López, R. B. (2019). Ciclos culturales y astronómicos en Xochicalco, Morelos. Anales de Antropología, 53(1), 75. https://doi.org/10.22201/iia.24486221e.2019.1.64803

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• Los calendarios de Xochicalco, Morelos

  Xochicalco's calendars, inscribed on the site's reliefs, offer a unique window into Mesoamerican calendar systems during the Epiclassic period (600–900 CE). By analyzing and reconstructing the sequence of days and years—comprising 52-year cycles known as 'siglos'—researchers have pieced together a previously fragmented understanding of pre-Hispanic calendrical practices. The uniformity of these inscriptions, derived from a single site over a defined period, bridges the gap between earlier (Classic) and later (Postclassic) calendar traditions, providing critical insights into how such systems evolved across Mesoamerica. Additionally, the eclectic artistic styles and graphic representations in Xochicalco's calendars reflect broader trans-regional influences, underscoring the site's role as a cultural nexus during this transitional era.

  Morante López, R. B. (2019). Los calendarios de Xochicalco, Morelos. Anales de Antropología, 53(2). https://doi.org/10.22201/iia.24486221e.2019.2.64818

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