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Teotihuacan 
"the place where men become gods, or city of the gods"
 
Avenue of the Dead 
Photo by Sharice Welch
The cultural history of Teotihuacan dates back to the Upper PreClassic period, 500 B.C or earlier.  It was the the capital of the Toltec people.  It was one of the largest cities in the world.  This site adheres to strict geometric patterns and has many distinctive attributes that make it different from contemporary cultures.  Priests in society governed and  were adamant about learning, craft activities, and worshipping of gods (water gods [Tlaloc and Chalchiutlicue] and fire gods [Huehueteotl]).  

Mural paintings helped to capture the religious concepts of the Teotihuacanos.  They had hieroglyphics, a calendar, and knowledge about astronomy and herbal medicine.  Around 650 A.D the creation of new structures ceased and primitive people came and destroyed many ceremonial centers and pilfer tombs.  

Much of Teotihuacanos pottery introduces archeologists to chronological periods of their culture.  Teotihuacan was once divided into districts, some artisans and some residential areas.  

Teotihuacan structures are composed of many different superimpositions from the beginning of Indian architecture, 100B.C, until the destruction and abandonment of their city toward the end of the 7th century.  

Economically, Teotihuacan is one of the largest pre-industrial cities in the world.  Tens of thousands of people were employed in crafts and maybe 100,000 in trade and fixed markets.  Because of its strategic location, Teotihuacan was also one of the more politically dominant cities.  The valley of Mexico made it easy for access to trade routes and communication with others. 
 

Two main pyramids of Teotihuacan  

In order to build both the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon, there needed to be a great amount of participation by the Mayan people.  This suggests that Teotihuacan was a metropolis with a stable and strongly centralized authority.  

Pyramid of the Sun- This is the highest pyramid in Mesoamerica north Maya.  The base of this enormous pyramid is the size of Cheops in Egypt.  On the day that the sun passes the zenith, the Teotihuacanos constructed the pyramid so that it is directly in front of the monument.  
 

Pyramid of the Sun
Photo by Theresa Mycek

Pyramid of the Moon- This pyramid is known for its beauty.  It is about 116 feet high and faces south with a view of the city.  In front of this pyramid is the Plaza of the Moon.  This contains 12 platforms which surround about 4 acres of land.  In the center of the Plaza is another platform which was used for pageantry and religious ceremonies.  It was also used for the burning of basin oils.  
 

source:  http://www.crystalinks.com/mexico.html
 
 
 Page created by Amanda Belzer, Kamis Courtney, Sharice Welch, Jennifer Wells