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Tepeapulco (Xihuingo) Archaeological Site: Ancient Astronomical Observatory

The Zona Arqueológica de Tepeapulco or Xihuingo is 23 kilometers away from Zempoala, near Tepeapulco city, which means “Next to the Great Hill”. It’s at the foot of the Xihuingo hill, term translated as “place of the year” or “where the year is calculated”.
Marks found on the nearby cliffs suggest that astronomical calculations were made there. Also red rock paintings and petroglyphs were found.
The place was part of the Teotihuacán influence zone and retains many proportional and architecture style similarities with that archaeological complex. The Tecolote pyramid is the place’s most prominent; it received that name because a sculpture of that animal, a tecolote or spotted owl (Strix occidentalis), was found there.
Tourist Attraction
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    Delve into the past of ZacatecasThis archaeological site is located in the municipality of Chalchihuites and was an important ceremonial and astronomical center. Some studies suggest that its location is associated to its proximity to the Tropic of Cancer and that its design allows observing the suns displacement, this way its ancient inhabitants knew the agricultural cycle. Its importance also lies in the fact that one of the oldest representations of the National Coat of Arms ever re

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