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All Mexico Mexico City Temple of Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl
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Temple of Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl

Underneath the historic center of Mexico City, the remains of a temple dedicated to the Aztec god of the wind.

Mexico City, Mexico

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Mario Yair T.S.
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Templo de Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl   Mario Yair TS / Atlas Obscura User
The basement   Mario Yair TS / Atlas Obscura User
Pre-Hispanic ball court   Mario Yair TS / Atlas Obscura User
Ceremonial brazier   Mario Yair TS / Atlas Obscura User
The house where it was found   Mario Yair TS / Atlas Obscura User
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About

In 1985, following an earthquake damaging a hotel, the remains of colonial building, and in turn below it, an Aztec temple dedicated to the god of the wind were found. Two constructions were identified: the remains of the north side of the pre-Hispanic ball court and the base of the temple of Ehécatl, wind aspect of the Feathered Serpent god Quetzalcoatl.

The entire complex was witness to the Spanish war of conquest in 1521. Upon the victory of the Spanish, a large part of the old buildings were destroyed to build the first houses in New Spain. That is why among the vestiges a wall of the house of Juan Engel, one of the first residents of the city, was also found.

The corridor to visit the basement where the vestiges sit runs through an old pre-Hispanic corridor. That is why in one of the corners it is possible to see the remains of a ceremonial brazier that served to illuminate the streets and for ritual uses during the 14th century.

An offering of several human spines of 30 children (between 0 to 6 years old) was also found on one side of the ballcourt stairway. For their protection and study, they are not exhibited inside.

Related Tags

History & Culture Aztec Archaeology Ruins Temples

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The site is only open on Saturdays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the access ticket to the Museo del Templo Mayor.

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Added By

Mario Yair TS

Edited By

MajoraZ

  • MajoraZ

Published

April 13, 2022

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Sources
  • https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/07/ancient-aztec-temple-ball-court-found-mexico-city/
  • http://web.archive.org/web/20180320163444/https://www.inah.gob.mx/en/boletines/6225-revelan-hallazgo-arqueologico-del-templo-de-ehecatl-y-el-juego-de-pelota-de-mexico-tenochtitlan
  • https://www.archaeology.org/issues/138-1407/features/2211-mexico-city-aztec-temple-of-ehecatl-quetzalcoatl
Temple of Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl
10 República de Guatemala
Mexico City, 06000
Mexico
19.435148, -99.133156
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