There are many fascinating ruins left over from places that used to hold ancient populations all over Mexico. I’ll showcase several of them. Either sourced from an artist’s impression or an idea of how one looked like according Mexican organizations like INAH, an institution on anthropology.
Tollan-Xicocotitlan: The legendary Toltecs of the epiclassic era had their capital situated in Central Mexico. Meaning «(Place) Next to Tules/Rushes/Cattails».
El Tajín: One of the most interesting and mysterious sites once home to many Totonacs during the classical era, known for its great architecture of the largest pyramid there. There’s no clear toponym, but likely meaning «City of Thunder», derived from a deity’s name.
Monte Albán: A settlement of high altitude of Zapotec near present day Oaxaca City. Another place unclear of its original toponym, but possibly called Ocelotepec «Hill/Mountain of Jaguars» by Nahuas and Dani Baan «Sacred Hill/Mountain» by the Zapotecs (though it was the name of their whole kingdom too).
Uxmal: A classical Mayan urban setting, and one of the most important ones for researchers. Meaning «Built Three Times» (or having to do with ‘harvest’ from Yucatec Mayan, “Ux”), probably referencing how many times it has been inhabited.
Palenque: A pre-classical Mayan site by which the Chol Mayans called Otolum «Land of Strong Houses», Yucatec Mayans by Baak «Bone» or Lakamha «Place of many Waters».
Cobá: A late classic site of many Sacbeob or white trailed road systems it had, located in Quintana Roo. It’s toponym is open to various translations as «Mossy/Murky Water», «Humidity of Water», or «Waters of Chachalaca (a native fowl)» as proposed by INAH, a Mexican anthropology bureau.
Calakmul: Another mid-preclassic site of the Mayan lowlands, bear the present day Mexico-Guatemala border. Oxte’tun was its original name, meaning «Three Rocks/Steles» as opposed to its recent given name by a botanist. Calakmul, meaning «(City of) Two Adjacent Pyramids/Hillocks».
Tikal: The iconic classical capital of one of the most strongest Mayan city-states at the time, seeming to get into conflict. Its toponym meaning «At the well/waterhole» in Yucatec Mayan or «Place of voices/languages» in Itza’ Mayan. However, these are recent names and was originally named Yax Mutal, thought to mean «First Hair Knot», referencing the ruler’s tied-back hairstyle from its ancient glyph.
Chichen Itza: A now recognized World Wonder that used to be inhabited by Mayans during the terminal period. It’s name literally meaning «At the mouth of the Itza well (either meaning sorcerer or the Itza Mayan group)».
Mayapan: And of course, the city that the Mayans earned their name from that we collectively recognize as of today. It’s toponym meaning «Flag/Banner of the Maya». Maya hinted at meaning «Family of God» or «The People Selected for God». Maya may mean «The Region of Limestone» as a toponym too.
Cholula: The Nahua settlement with a pyramid having a volume exceeding those of Egypt, but not height. One of the most interesting ones too because of it being under a lot of debris built up, with a church on top. In Nahuatl, meaning «Place of Fleeing/Jumping» or maybe even «Yielding the Water» from its original name, Chollolan.
Teotihuacan: Another very large classical city the Mexicas and other people revered in Central Mexico for its architecture, size, Sun, and Moon temples. Literally meaning «City of Gods» or «Birthplace of the Gods».
Tenochtitlan: Lastly, arguably one of the most famous ancient cities people may be familiar with, meaning «Among prickly pears (of nopal cacti) [growing among] stone/rocks» or simply «On the Cactus/Prickly Pear of the Stone». Home of the Mexica tribe, as we now know as the heart Aztec Triple Alliance or Mexico City.
And many more amazing sites! Just search up a place name with keywords like “reconstruction,” “reconstrucción”(even if the results will be in Spanish, there may be none from English results), or “render.” Hope this has helped!
