Mexico's Ancient Ruins

Mexico’s most treasured sights are entrenched in ancient myth and legend

Traverse Mexico from the northern deserts, to the southern Caribbean coast, and you’re bound to encounter an ancient ruin or two. This central American nation was a significant part of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica and home to many ancient civilisations before the Spanish arrived. Nowadays, Mexico has 35 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and many more on their Tentative List.

While most know of the Maya and Aztecs, ancient Mexico had five major indigenous cultures – each of which are recognised for their significant contributions to modern society, cuisine and customs. To fully comprehend the evolution of this vibrant country, you must get to know its history.

Olmec

The Olmec were Mexico’s earliest sophisticated civilisation. Little is known about this ancient group compared to the cultures that came after it. Even the name Olmec was given to them by the Aztecs, many centuries after the civilisation had disappeared.

Thanks to extensive archeological studies, we know that the Olmecs resided in the steamy lowlands of modern-day Veracruz and Tabasco from around 1200BC. These warm coastal states provided ideal conditions for corn and bean crops, which are believed to have sustained the group, along with marine life and various other plants. Remains of their earliest settlement, San Lorenzo, hint at an advanced and organised civilisation, complete with an elaborate drainage system and royal palace.

The most well-known aspect of Olmec culture is their art. Made from volcanic stone, basalt and jade, their elaborate sculptures typically depict mythological creatures and deities, indicating the group had an organised belief system. Perhaps their most fascinating creations are the colossal stone heads, modelled after Olmec rulers and measuring almost 3 metres tall.

No one knows why the Olmecs vanished, but their customs, from sacrificial ceremonies to pyramid-building, are widely believed to have shaped future civilisations.

Where to go: Parque-Museo La Venta, Tabasco

This park-cum-museum features a sculpture trail with Olmec treasures from the ancient city of La Venta.

Maya

While they’re believed to be of Olmec ancestry, the Maya substantially outgrew their predecessor to become one of the largest and most advanced ancient civilisations in the world. Unlike other Mesoamerican groups who were spread across the country, the Maya established their civilisation in one geographical area, southwest of Olmec heartland. By the 3rd century AD, they had spread from the Yucatan Peninsula down to Guatemala and deep into Central America.

In the beginning, the Maya spoke one language and had a steadfast agricultural focus, while simultaneously developing settlements. But as the population grew, languages evolved regionally and attention shifted to the construction of large cities. Their fascination with space and time lead to the development of sophisticated astronomical and calendrical systems, along with a hieroglyphic-type script.

All of these advancements eventually led to the golden age of the Maya civilisation. At the height of its dominance, the empire encompassed 40 cities – remnants of which are still standing today. Experts believe that the population could have swelled to two million people during this period.

Where to go: Palenque, Chiapas

Mexico is positively brimming with Maya ruins, and Palenque boasts some of the best. Visit the Zona Arqueológica Palenque for a taste of pre-Columbian grandiosity.

Teotihuacán

Widely considered one of the largest and most important pre-Columbian cities, the ruins of Teotihuacán are by far Mexico’s most mysterious. The sprawling city was given its current name by the Aztecs, who discovered it in the 13th century, but archeologists believe its construction dates back more than a thousand years prior to their arrival. To this day, nobody knows who built the city, nor its original residents, but one thing’s for sure: the Teotihuacanos were visionaries.

In its prime, the population of Teotihuacán city is thought to have been around 100,000. Thousands of residential compounds lined the streets, in between temples and soaring pyramids. Most inhabitants were involved in farming and agriculture, but a sizeable portion worked with local materials to craft tools and weaponry. Fascinatingly, there’s no written record of language in Teotihuacán and inscriptions in the city walls have never been deciphered.

Along with the enigma of the Teotihuacanos themselves, the cause of the city’s demise is also unknown. Some scholars predict that an uprising from the lower-class may have been the trigger, while others point to a natural disaster such as drought.

Where to go: Zona Arqueológica Teotihuacán, México State

The UNESCO-listed ancient city of Teotihuacán is one of Latin America’s greatest treasures. Visitors are free to roam the site and even climb the stone pyramids.

Toltec

The Toltec of central Mexico are one of the most revered Mesoamerican civilisations, and established many facets of society that were later adopted by the Aztecs. In fact, they were so admired by the Aztecs that much of Toltec history is intertwined with myth, making it challenging for historians to separate fact from fiction.

The nahuatl-speaking group were reputed as fierce warriors, and together with their leader Mixcóatl, the Toltecs invaded the city of Teotihuacán. Over time, their individual settlements culminated in an empire based in Tula, and their influence was at its peak from the 10th to the 12th centuries AD. Much like the Olmecs before them, the Toltecs were skilled builders and artists. They crafted countless pieces including the iconic Chacmool figures – reclining statues with their heads twisted 90 degrees.

The most intriguing aspect of the Toltec civilisation were its religious beliefs. Many deities were worshipped by the Toltecs, but Quetzalcóatl – or the feathered serpent – was the largest. Quetzalcóatl is believed to have been around since the Teotihuacán empire, but when the god was introduced to the Toltecs, it inspired a cult following. The main temple in Tula dedicated to Quetzalcóatl was the axis on which the city revolved.

Where to go: Tula, Hidalgo

Head off the tourist trail to the state of Hidalgo and you’ll be rewarded with the ruins of Tula. The ancient Toltec capital is best-known for its towering Atlantean statues carved from stone.

Aztec

The most famous of all Mexican civilisations, the Aztec was the last great empire before the Spanish conquest. Their origins are believed to be from the north of Mexico, where they were hunter-gatherers before shifting further south to establish their rule. One theory suggests that they headed southward when the Toltec civilisation fell, while another points to the Aztec arrival as a trigger for its collapse.

Aztec society was highly classist and for those not born into status, the only way up the hierarchy was through bravery in battle. Members of the upper class worked in administration-type roles, while those at the opposite end of the spectrum were farmers, servants or slaves. Much like the Toltecs, the Aztecs worshipped several Gods including much-loved Quetzalcóatl. They practised many rituals including blood-letting and human sacrifice, and established their own measurements of time.

What set the Aztecs apart from their ancestors were their alliances. By forming coalitions and trade partnerships with neighbouring states, ruler Itzcóatl ensured his empire’s dominance. At its zenith, the Aztec empire encompassed over five million people spread across approximately 207,200 sqm. When the Spanish conquistadors arrived in the 16th century, they overthrew the Aztecs, seized their capital city and captured their ruler – the famed Montezuma. And just like that, the pre-Hispanic era was over.

Where to go: Templo Mayor, México State

The ancient Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán, located in the heart of modern-day Mexico City, was home to several grand structures, but none were more sacred than Templo Mayor. Legend says that the temple was constructed on the site where the Aztecs saw an eagle perching on a cactus eating a snake – a sight immortalised in Mexico's coat of arms.