description Cacaxtla Murals (Tlaxcala, Mexico) Overview
The Cacaxtla murals are pre-Columbian wall paintings preserved at the archaeological site of Cacaxtla in Tlaxcala, central Mexico. Created during the Epiclassic period, they depict armed figures, battle scenes, deities, animals, plants, and ritual imagery in saturated colors. Their combination of central Mexican subject matter with visual features associated with Maya art makes them important evidence for cultural exchange and elite political expression after the decline of Teotihuacan.
help Cacaxtla Murals (Tlaxcala, Mexico) FAQ
What is happening in Cacaxtla's Battle Mural?
The mural shows two groups of richly equipped warriors in a violent confrontation, with victors standing over wounded and dismembered opponents. Costumes, weapons, blood, and named-looking visual attributes distinguish the opposing figures.
Why do the Cacaxtla murals look partly Maya?
Their flowing figures, vivid pigments, costumes, and some symbols show strong connections with Maya visual traditions. Cacaxtla stood in central Mexico, so the murals provide important evidence of long-distance cultural exchange during the Epiclassic period.
Who painted the Cacaxtla murals?
The individual artists are unknown, and scholars continue to debate the identity and affiliations of Cacaxtla's rulers. The paintings were created during the site's Epiclassic florescence, broadly between the seventh and ninth centuries.
Where can the Cacaxtla murals be visited?
They remain at the Cacaxtla archaeological zone in Tlaxcala, Mexico, beneath protective roofing. The on-site museum provides context for the Battle Mural, the Bird Man, the Jaguar Man, and the city's wider history.
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