On our third day in Mexico City we hopped a train to go and explore the ancient Teotihuacan Pyramids. Since I had done pretty much zero research about this trip, I was so overwhelmed with how awesome this place is! Never seen or been to anywhere like it! The world is amazing.
Armed with our "sneakers and sunscreen" (the only two recommendations, ha!) we started huffing it towards to the Pyramid of the Moon.
Stop for a selfie! That first pyramid waaaaay back there was our first goal!
From Wikipedia: Teotihuacan is an ancient Mesoamerican city located in a sub-valley of the Valley of Mexico, located in the State of Mexico 25 miles northeast of modern-day Mexico City, known today as the site of many of the most architecturally significant Mesoamerican pyramids built in the pre-Columbian Americas. At its zenith, perhaps in the first half of the 1st millennium AD, Teotihuacan was the largest city in the pre-Columbian Americas, with a population estimated at 125,000 or more, making it at least the sixth largest city in the world during its epoch. Apart from the pyramids, Teotihuacan is also anthropologically significant for its complex, multi-family residential compounds, the Avenue of the Dead, and the small portion of its vibrant murals that have been exceptionally well-preserved. Additionally, Teotihuacan exported fine obsidian tools that garnered high prestige and widespread usage throughout Mesoamerica. The city is thought to have been established around 100 BC, with major monuments continuously under construction until about 250 AD. The city may have lasted until sometime between the 7th and 8th centuries AD, but its major monuments were sacked and systematically burned around 550 AD. Teotihuacan began as a new religious centre in the Mexican Highlands around the first century AD. This city came to be the largest and most populated centre in the pre-Columbian Americas. Teotihuacan was even home to multi-floor apartment compounds built to accommodate this large population. Although it is a subject of debate whether Teotihuacan was the centre of a state empire, its influence throughout Mesoamerica is well documented; evidence of Teotihuacano presence can be seen at numerous sites in Veracruz and the Maya region. The later Aztecs saw these magnificent ruins and claimed a common ancestry with the Teotihuacanos, modifying and adopting aspects of their culture. The ethnicity of the inhabitants of Teotihuacan is also a subject of debate. Possible candidates are the Nahua, Otomi, or Totonac ethnic groups.
Teotihuacan is the most visited archaeological site in Mexico!
The amount of detail in the foundations is astounding - someone had to place each and every little rock to get this cool pattern, and they were everywhere!
Men and women were parked in the sun and shade all around selling trinkets.
One of the many well-preserved murals, I think this one was of a leopard.
Me in front of the Pyramid of the Sun (the biggest one), Chris in front of the Pyramid of the Moon, and Chris documenting the excursion.
We made it to our first pyramid! Next step: UP! (literally, steps up, lol).
The city's broad central avenue called the Avenue of the Dead is flanked by impressive ceremonial architecture, including the immense Pyramid of the Sun - the third largest pyramid in the world after the Great Pyramid of Cholula and the Great Pyramid of Giza! The Pyramid of the Moon and The Ciudadela with the Temple of the Feathered Serpent Quetzalcoatl are placed at the both ends of the Avenue.
Doggies basking in the sun on the steps of the pyramids.
Then we climbed the big kahuna: the Pyramid of the Sun.
Stop for a selfie! That first pyramid waaaaay back there was our first goal!
From Wikipedia: Teotihuacan is an ancient Mesoamerican city located in a sub-valley of the Valley of Mexico, located in the State of Mexico 25 miles northeast of modern-day Mexico City, known today as the site of many of the most architecturally significant Mesoamerican pyramids built in the pre-Columbian Americas. At its zenith, perhaps in the first half of the 1st millennium AD, Teotihuacan was the largest city in the pre-Columbian Americas, with a population estimated at 125,000 or more, making it at least the sixth largest city in the world during its epoch. Apart from the pyramids, Teotihuacan is also anthropologically significant for its complex, multi-family residential compounds, the Avenue of the Dead, and the small portion of its vibrant murals that have been exceptionally well-preserved. Additionally, Teotihuacan exported fine obsidian tools that garnered high prestige and widespread usage throughout Mesoamerica. The city is thought to have been established around 100 BC, with major monuments continuously under construction until about 250 AD. The city may have lasted until sometime between the 7th and 8th centuries AD, but its major monuments were sacked and systematically burned around 550 AD. Teotihuacan began as a new religious centre in the Mexican Highlands around the first century AD. This city came to be the largest and most populated centre in the pre-Columbian Americas. Teotihuacan was even home to multi-floor apartment compounds built to accommodate this large population. Although it is a subject of debate whether Teotihuacan was the centre of a state empire, its influence throughout Mesoamerica is well documented; evidence of Teotihuacano presence can be seen at numerous sites in Veracruz and the Maya region. The later Aztecs saw these magnificent ruins and claimed a common ancestry with the Teotihuacanos, modifying and adopting aspects of their culture. The ethnicity of the inhabitants of Teotihuacan is also a subject of debate. Possible candidates are the Nahua, Otomi, or Totonac ethnic groups.
Teotihuacan is the most visited archaeological site in Mexico!
The amount of detail in the foundations is astounding - someone had to place each and every little rock to get this cool pattern, and they were everywhere!
Men and women were parked in the sun and shade all around selling trinkets.
One of the many well-preserved murals, I think this one was of a leopard.
Me in front of the Pyramid of the Sun (the biggest one), Chris in front of the Pyramid of the Moon, and Chris documenting the excursion.
We made it to our first pyramid! Next step: UP! (literally, steps up, lol).
The city's broad central avenue called the Avenue of the Dead is flanked by impressive ceremonial architecture, including the immense Pyramid of the Sun - the third largest pyramid in the world after the Great Pyramid of Cholula and the Great Pyramid of Giza! The Pyramid of the Moon and The Ciudadela with the Temple of the Feathered Serpent Quetzalcoatl are placed at the both ends of the Avenue.
Doggies basking in the sun on the steps of the pyramids.
Then we climbed the big kahuna: the Pyramid of the Sun.
Interesting fact, the interior of the Pyramid of the Sun has never been fully excavated.
Super rocky texture on the side and pretty mini sunflowers (my favorite flower).
View from the top. So green! I can't believe it!
Look closely at this photo and you'll see me arms stretched up high at the top! I'm standing at the top right corner, to the left of those two dark spots of people.
The drive to and from Teotihuacan was a rainbow of color! Made me soooo happy!
Such a fantastic day at the Teotihuacan Pyramids! I highly recommend it if you're ever in Mexico City!
Thanks so much for sharing! I love these photos and especially the ones with details of the stones! These are so impressive in size, but it's the little things that are amazing! Adding this to my bucket list of places to go in North America!
ReplyDeleteI've been to sites in the four corners area of the US that were all so interesting in their own way - each using the stone in different ways, creating patterns in some and others in interesting places. To me it's fascinating to think about these ancient people and how their buildings have survived all these centuries!
Wow!! What an amazing place!!! Those pyramids are WOW!!!! You just have to be in awe that those were all built WITHOUT technology helping them along!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite places on the planet - so glad you got to enjoy it! Can't wait to see what you mini book looks like..(so i can maybe CASE it ...)
ReplyDelete