Teotehuacán

Posted byrkrontheroadPosted inhistory, Mexico, North America, Photography, ruins, TravelTags:, , , , ,

The archaeological ruins of Teotihuacán lie just thirty miles (50km) northeast of Mexico City. Although people lived in the area before then, the civilization developed in the first century CE, along the San Juan River, and grew to become the largest city in the Americas, home to over 100,000 people and covering 7.7 square miles (20 sq kilometers). Paved roads led out in a grid from the center, with stone houses adorned with painted murals. Many of its temples and main buildings were burned in the sixth century, and it soon declined.

The Mexicas (Aztec) rediscovered the abandoned city more than one thousand years after it was built. They named it Teotihuacán, meaning “Birthplace of the Gods” or the “Place where time began.” The Spanish never found the site. Some of its main structures were not excavated until well into the twentieth century.

A local guide led us around the UNESCO World Heritage Site, telling stories of the history of the complex and what is known of its indigenous inhabitants. Entering from the southern entrance, my first sight was of the Temple of the Feathered Serpent, also called Temple of Quetzalcoatl, rising in the Citadel, an ancient ceremonial plaza. I climbed its stone steps, to find, hidden on the other side, the stone heads of the mythical feathered serpent diety. More than a hundred victims were found buried beneath this temple, discovered in the 1980s, believed sacrificed for the creation of the structure.

Temple of the Feathered Serpent
Our guide with UFO earrings, perhaps another myth about the ruins’ origins?

The Temple was at one end of long avenue of unearthed structures comprising a well planned city. It’s called The Avenue of the Dead because it was first thought that the buildings housed royal tombs. Further excavation discovered caves and tunnels underneath, and no skeletal remains. The Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon tower over the Avenue. The Pyramid of the Sun was the largest building in area of its time, built around 200 CE, named by the Mexicas who believed it was built to honor the sun god; and the Pyramid of the Moon, to honor the moon god. No written language remains from the Teotehuacáns, so there is no record of their original intent. The mountain, Cerro Gordo, rises in the distance.

Avenue of the Dead
Pyramid of the Sun
Pyramid of the Moon

Details in adjoining and nearby structures show murals of gods, jaguars, feathered serpents, and other images. Dotted stones between larger rocks indicate where walls were reconstructed.

Desert landscaping at the entrance

Night in Mexico City

Churros!

Mexico: Mexico City, Teotehuacán, Tlahuac, Puebla, Cholula, Oaxaca, Monte Alban, Crossing Oaxaca, Sumidero Canyon, San Cristobal, Chamula, Agua Azul, Palenque, Campeche, Mérida, Uxmal, Chichen Itzá, Playa del Carmen

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Published by rkrontheroad

Writer, photographer, traveler

52 thoughts on “Teotehuacán”

  1. Pingback: Mexico City – Ruth Rosenfeld

  3. Ruth, I always enjoy your photos and travels. I just returned from a Mayan journey to El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Belize. Where did you live in Guatemala?

    Bonnie

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    2. Hi Ruth. This post and the previous one are an interesting parallel with the Route of the Maya Bonnie refers to. A good friend of mine just completed that tour a week ago (with OAT) so I’ve been hearing about and seeing their photos as they’ve been traveling. Tikal, outside of Peten, seems to be on the same scale as Teotehuacan. They said there was far more to see in Tikal than they had time for, but they described similar facilities and shrines. I wonder where the concept of the feathered serpent came from?

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      1. Tikal is stunning, I’ve been there several times. Back then, you could climb one of the towers for sunrise, a moment I’ll never forget – up above the rainforest canopy with the howler monkeys calling. There are many paths of less excavated buildings, not as large. It was interesting to see some with trees still growing through them.

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  5. This is amazing! I can’t believe how well preserved it all is, especially the colors. Imagine designing and building this city without modern day technology, and creating something that would endure for so long? I can scarcely imagine the amount of time and effort that went into it.

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  11. I’ve heard of Teotihuacán before, but wow! What fascinating ruins. This is a part of Mexico I haven’t explored yet, and I can imagine the long and rich history of the region going back thousands of years. Thanks for sharing, Ruth!

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  17. Wow, what a truly incredible place to visit to experience something truly unique and unforgettable! The archaeological ruins of Teotihuacán are one of the most fascinating archaeological sites where you can learn about the fascinating history of Teotihuacan and the people who lived there, as well as the significance of the many structures and artifacts found at the site. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx

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