Mexico City’s Huei Tzompantli Housed Skulls

Why this is here: Archaeologists have recovered about 11,000 bone fragments from the Huei Tzompantli, representing the remains of 665 individuals.

Archaeologist Raúl Barrera Rodríguez explains that the Huei Tzompantli, located beneath Guatemala Street 24 in Mexico City, Mexico, was a “temple generating life” for the Mexica people. The structure displayed skulls—of sacrificed individuals, prisoners, or stone carvings—arranged on posts, mirroring the practice of planting corn seeds. Conquistador Andrés de Tapia documented the tzompantli’s location opposite the Templo Mayor in Tenochtitlan.

Excavations by the Urban Archaeology Project (PAU) of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) have uncovered 665 skulls, comprising roughly 11,000 bone fragments. Analysis of over 200 skulls reveals most belonged to men, with a notable percentage of women and a small number of children. Eduardo Matos Moctezuma noted the structure symbolized Mexica power, displaying the heads of the sacrificed—sometimes even members of their own civilization.

Currently, the site remains closed to the public as researchers continue studying the fragile finds. Barrera anticipates the Historic Center will eventually become a large archaeological museum, but further work is needed to ensure safe access.