MEXICO CITY.- Two huge Prehispanic walled roadways that conduct to a ceremonial area are the welcome view of Cantona, Puebla visit, fortress city considered one of the earliest in Mexico.

Those who visit Cantona, “casa del sol” in Nahuatl, get surprised by its size. Area open to public is 3 kilometers, 10 per cent of the extension of a city inhabited from Pre Classic period (200 BC) until Early Classic (200AD).

This huge urban center, where archaeologist have located nearly 32,000 patios and almost 1,000 structures (monticules, dwelling conjuncts, shrines and pyramids), is worth a visit guided by National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) experts, being the next trips in August 26th and 30th 2009.

Archaeologist Katrina Vakimes Serret will be in charge of the visit part of INAH Cultural Tourism Program, which includes other attractions in Puebla, Tepetzala and San Jose Chiapa towns, and Achichica crater-lake.

“Cantona, Archaeology, History and Traditions” tour begins at the area named Acropolis, where main structures are located, seats of economic, politic and religious power.

According to archaeological studies, population dwelled the lower parts, intermediate section lodged people of a higher rank and the highest part was inhabited by leaders.

The higher areas are where ceremonial structures were built. 24 ballgame courts are located here: 12 of them present a distribution called Cantona type, which integrate lined up architectural conjuncts that generally include a pyramid, 1 or 2 plazas, an altar and other structures around.

Other singular feature of Cantona is the huge amount of patios found, which are 50 by 40 meters, or bigger, where evidence of obsidian and quarry workshops has been found.

Baroque temples from 17th century will be visited at Tepetzala and San Jose Chiapa. The last stop is Achichica, salt water lake formed in a crater, located 109 kilometers away from Puebla City.