BRIEF HISTORY
Occupation of the area began around 500 B.C. and lasted a millennium
until it was abandoned in the sixth century. At its zenith, Teotihuacán
was home to more than 200,000 people, arguably the world's most
populated city at the time.
The founders of the city did not leave a writing system.
By the time the Aztecs
discovered the site, more than six centuries had passed. When the
Aztecs founded Tenochtitlán, they adopted the ruins as a
ceremonial ground and gave the city the grand name Teotihuacán
(meaning "Place of the Gods").
The Aztecs named the tallest structure the "Pyramid of the Sun"
because the front wall faces the exact point on the horizon, where
the sun sets at spring and autumn equinoxes. This pyramid is 70
meters (230 feet) high with a 220-meter (720-foot) base. It was
built around A.D. 150. The neutral stone facade belies its former
spectacle: originally it was painted bright red. The smaller Pyramid
of the Moon was built between A.D. 250 and 600.
Another point of interest is the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. The facade
features representations of Quetzalcoatl the serpent, a symbol of
fertility and renewal, and heads of Cipactli, the mythical crocodile
who symbolizes time and creation.
The city's foundation are still intact. It was originally divided
into four quarters by two corridors. The north-south avenue is called
Avenida de los Muertos (Avenue of the Dead), again named by the
Aztecs who believed (incorrectly) that the buildings were tombs.
NEIGHBORS
Teotihuacán traded with other Mesoamerican cities, exerting
a strong influence after the fourth century. Teotihuacán's
ceramics, obsidian crafts, and architecture are found in distant
cities such as Monte
Albán (Oaxaca), Tikal (Guatemala), and Copán (Honduras),
while other cultures' goods and crafts have been uncovered in Teotihuacán
graves and caches. This represents a cross-cultural exchange much
like finding McDonald's Happy Meal toys in a rural village, or Mayan
crafts in a New York boutique.
Why did this city and its empire collapse? There is evidence of
malnutrition and environmental neglect in the region, especially
the deforestation of nearby hills which were and still are rich
in obsidian (used for ceremonial knives and figures) and clay deposits,
used for ceramics.
CURRENT STATUS
Today the park offers more than a glimmer of its former greatness.
To gain perspective of the past glory, visit the on-site museum
and botanical garden.
The garden is well labeled and the museum showcases the ceramics
and sculptures that have been excavated. It's one of the better
museums in the country and admission is included in the entrance
fee. One room contains a miniature representation of the metropolis,
covered by a plexiglas floor. Just walking across this room gives
the visitor an eagle-eye view. Scale models also show how the city
might have looked around 500 A.D.
TEMPLE OF QUETZALCOATL
Archaeologists are warning that the Temple of Quetzalcoatl has
sustained structural damage. Deterioration has been caused by insufficient
drainage to release water the building accumulates during the rainy
season. One solution is to update the original drainage system.
VERNAL EQUINOX
Thousands of pilgrims dressed in white climb the towering Pyramid
of the Sun to pay homage to the first day of spring. These visitors
believe the pyramids hold a special energy on the vernal
equinox that can be transmitted to people, particularly to those
who dress in white.
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