El Tajin, Mexico

El Tajin, Pyramid of the Niches

One of the most important ancient cities of Mesoamerica. Flourished in 600 – 1200 AD, inhabited by people of diverse nationalities. Impressive monuments are Pyramid of the Niches, Building 5 (also a pyramid) and other pyramid-shaped temples.

Cantona

Cantona, Puebla

Remnants of a heavily fortified ancient Mesoamerican city from 600 – 1000 AD. Unusual due to a high concentration of ballcourts – 24 found so far. All structures here have been built without any mortar.

La Quemada

La Quemada, Zacatecas

Remnants of an ancient city from 300 – 1200 AD. It is unclear which culture built it. The architecture of structures resembles the style of great Mesoamerican cultures but the city is located far north from other Mesoamerican cities. Impressive building is Votive Pyramid.

Teotihuacan

Avenue of the Dead in Teotihuacan, Mexico

One of the largest ancient cities in the world with numerous monuments of architecture and art. Established sometime around 200 BC and was abandoned in the 7th – 8th centuries AD. A hugely impressive monument of urban planning is Avenue of the Dead. The pyramid of the Sun is the third largest ancient pyramid in the world. Height – 71,2 m. The pyramid of the Moon is an older pyramid from 200 – 450 AD, 42 m high.

Great Pyramid of Cholula

Great Pyramid of Cholula

World’s largest structure, built in the 3rd century BC – 9th century AD. The base of the pyramid is 450 x 450 m, height – 66 m. The volume of the construction material exceeds the volume of the Great Pyramid of Giza nearly two times.

Los Guachimontones

Circular pyramid in Los Guachimontones

Remnants of the ancient city of Teuchitlan culture, 300 BC – 900 AD. Characteristic monument – 10 unusual stepped circular pyramids up to 18 m high.

Monte Albán

Monte Albán, Oaxaca

One of the earliest urban centers in Mesoamerica, a center of Zapotec culture for nearly 1000 years. Founded sometime around 500 BC and inhabited until 750 AD. Contains remnants of many impressive structures such as Main Plaza, Ballgame Court, numerous stone carvings.

Mitla

Mitla in Mexico, mosaic fretwork of the wall

The most important religious center for the ancient Zapotec culture, developed in 900 BC – 1521 AD. Renowned due to elaborate mosaic fretwork adorning the facades of the buildings, panels, tombs. History of the city continued until destruction by Spanish in middle of the 16th century.

Rock Paintings of Sierra de San Francisco

Ancient painting in Cueva Ratón, Baja California

One of the most significant collections of prehistoric art in the world. Diverse prehistoric rock paintings of high artistic quality and well preserved in the dry climate of Baja California. Created in 1100 BC – 1300 AD. Coordinates show the approximate location of Guadalupe Petroglyphs, but there are many more, such as Cueva del Batequi, Cueva de la Natividad, Cerro de Santa Marta, Cueva de la Soledad, Cueva de las Flechas, Gruta del Brinco and many others.

Hueyatlaco archaeological site

Site of the finds of Hueyatlaco

Mysterious find – sophisticated man-made tools in 250,000 years old strata. This does not fit with the theory of the habitation of New World. This theory envisages that people here came much later.