Teotihuacan facts for kids
View of the Avenue of the Dead and the Pyramid of the Moon.
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 Location in Mesoamerica
Location in Mexico
Location in State of Mexico
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| Location | Teotihuacán, State of Mexico, Mexico |
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| Coordinates | 19°41′33″N 98°50′38″W / 19.69250°N 98.84389°W |
| History | |
| Periods | Late Preclassic to late Classic |
| Site notes | |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural styles | Talud-tablero |
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| Official name | Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan |
| Criteria | Cultural: i, ii, iii, iv, vi |
| Inscription | 1987 (11th Session) |
| Area | 3,381.71 ha |
Teotihuacan (pronounced tay-oh-tee-wah-KAHN) is an ancient city in Mesoamerica. It is located about 40 kilometers (25 miles) northeast of modern-day Mexico City. This amazing place is famous for its huge pyramids and other buildings. These structures were built long before the Aztec Empire.
At its peak, around 1 CE to 500 CE, Teotihuacan was the largest city in the Americas. It had a population of at least 25,000 people. Some experts think it might have had 125,000 or more residents. This made it one of the biggest cities in the world at that time. The city covered about 21 square kilometers (8 square miles). Most people in the valley lived in Teotihuacan.
Besides the pyramids, Teotihuacan is known for its large apartment buildings. It also has a long main road called the Avenue of the Dead. Many colorful murals (wall paintings) have been found here. The city was also famous for making and selling tools from obsidian, a sharp volcanic glass. Teotihuacan was founded around 100 BCE. Its main buildings were finished by about 250 CE. The city was mostly abandoned around 550 CE, possibly due to climate changes.
Teotihuacan started as a religious center. It grew into a huge city with many people. The term Teotihuacan also refers to the entire culture linked to this site. Its influence spread across Mesoamerica. Even the later Aztecs admired its ruins. They believed they shared a history with the Teotihuacanos. Today, Teotihuacan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the most visited archaeological site in Mexico.
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What Does the Name Teotihuacan Mean?
The name Teotihuacan was given by the Aztecs. They spoke the Nahuatl language. This happened centuries after the city fell around 550 CE. The name means "birthplace of the gods" or "place where gods were born." This connects to Aztec stories about how the universe was created there. Some scholars think it means "place of those who have the road of the gods."
The original name of the city is not known. In ancient Maya writings, it was called "Puh," meaning "Place of Reeds." This suggests it was seen as a great city, like other large settlements called "Tollan."
Recently, some experts think the name "Teotihuacan" might have been changed by Spanish settlers in the 1500s. Archaeologist Verónica Ortega believes the city was actually called "Teohuacan." This would mean "City of the Sun," not "City of the Gods."
When Was Teotihuacan Built?
The first people settled in the Teotihuacan area around 600 BCE. Until 200 BCE, it was a group of small villages. The population of the valley was about 6,000 people then. From 100 BCE to 750 CE, Teotihuacan grew into a huge city. It became an important center with influence across Mesoamerica.
The city's history is divided into four main periods:
Early Growth: Period I (200-1 BCE)
During this time, Teotihuacan started to become a city. Farmers gathered around the many springs in the area. This period marks the start of its urban development.
Explosive Growth: Period II (1-350 CE)
Teotihuacan grew very quickly in this era. It became the largest city in Mesoamerica. One reason for this growth was that other settlements were destroyed by volcanoes. People moved to Teotihuacan for economic opportunities. This led to the unique apartment complexes found in the city.
This period also saw the building of huge structures. The Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon were built then. Around 250-350 CE, political power shifted. The Temple of the Feathered Serpent became less important. More focus was put on building comfortable stone homes for everyone.
Peak Influence: Period III (350-650 CE)
This was the "classical period" of Teotihuacan. The city reached its greatest power and influence. Its population was estimated at least 125,000 people. It was one of the largest cities in the ancient world. About half of all people in the Valley of Mexico lived here.
Many buildings were rebuilt during this time. The Temple of the Feathered Serpent was covered with a new plaza. Beautiful funeral masks made of green stone, turquoise, and obsidian were common.
Decline and Fall: Period IV (650-750 CE)
This period marks the end of Teotihuacan as a major power. Many elite homes near the Avenue of the Dead show burn marks. Archaeologists think this means there was conflict within the city. Other reasons for its decline included social problems and power struggles. After this, Teotihuacan was still lived in, but it never reached its former size.
Who Built Teotihuacan?
The early history of Teotihuacan is a bit of a mystery. We don't know for sure who its first builders were. Teotihuacan was the biggest city in Mesoamerica before the Aztecs. It was already in ruins when the Aztecs arrived. For a long time, people thought the Toltec people built it. But the Toltec civilization came centuries after Teotihuacan.
Some scholars believe the Totonac people founded Teotihuacan. Others think it was a multi-ethnic city. This means many different groups of people lived there. Evidence suggests people from the Zapotec, Mixtec, and Maya cultures were present.
The builders of Teotihuacan used the land wisely. They built raised garden beds called chinampas in swampy areas. This helped them grow a lot of food. It also created channels for canoes to transport food. The earliest buildings date to about 200 BCE. The huge Pyramid of the Sun was finished by 100 CE.
Teotihuacan's Influence on Other Cultures
Teotihuacan was a very powerful city. Its influence spread far and wide.
Conquests and Connections
Even though we don't find many signs of kings or armies in Teotihuacan, its influence was strong. In 378 CE, a warlord named Sihyaj K'ahk' conquered Tikal, a Maya city 600 miles away. He was linked to Teotihuacan culture. This suggests Teotihuacan had a role in shaping other regions.
In 426 CE, a new ruling family was set up in Copán, a city in modern-day Honduras. This also shows Teotihuacan's reach.
Peak Power and Cultural Exchange
The city was at its strongest around 450 CE. It covered over 30 square kilometers (11.5 square miles). Its population might have been as high as 150,000 to 250,000 people. People from all over Mesoamerica lived in different parts of the city.
Teotihuacan had a big impact on Maya cities. Ideas and art styles from Teotihuacan appeared in Maya centers. This could have been from direct control or from cultures sharing ideas.
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A special building style called talud-tablero is linked to Teotihuacan. It uses a sloping base (talud) with a flat panel (tablero) on top. This style was found in many distant Mesoamerican sites. This shows how far Teotihuacan's influence reached. At its peak, the main buildings, including the pyramids, were painted bright red.
The city was a hub for skilled workers. Many potters, jewelers, and craftspeople lived there. Teotihuacan was especially known for its obsidian artifacts. These included blades, arrowheads, and jewelry. Obsidian was a major source of wealth.
We don't have many written texts from Teotihuacan itself. But Maya writings mention Teotihuacan leaders. They describe a ruler named "Spearthrower Owl." He ruled for over 60 years. He placed his relatives as rulers in Maya cities like Tikal.
The art of Teotihuacan tells us a lot about its culture. Murals were very important. They showed priests, jaguars, and gods. Unlike other cultures, Teotihuacan art didn't often show specific rulers. It focused on gods and important roles in society.
Why Did Teotihuacan Collapse?
At first, experts thought invaders destroyed the city. But newer evidence suggests the burning was mainly in areas where the ruling class lived. This might mean an internal uprising caused the destruction. There are no signs of a foreign invasion.
The population started to decline around the 500s CE. This supports the idea of internal problems. Long periods of drought (dry weather) might have played a role. These droughts were linked to climate changes around 535-536 CE. This could have been caused by a volcano eruption in El Salvador.
Archaeological finds show more young skeletons with signs of malnutrition during the 500s. This suggests famine might have been a reason for the decline. If crops failed, there wouldn't be enough food for the large population. It's possible that drought led to famine, which then caused internal unrest and attacks from nearby groups.
As Teotihuacan weakened, other cities like Cholula and Xochicalco grew stronger. They may have even worked together against Teotihuacan. Many Mesoamerican cities faced similar collapses.
What Was Life Like in Teotihuacan?
Archaeological finds show Teotihuacan was a multi-ethnic city. This means people from many different backgrounds lived there. The main languages are unknown. But Totonac and an early form of Nahua (spoken by the Aztecs) are possible.
This mix of people might have happened after a natural disaster. Another city, Cuicuilco, was a rival to Teotihuacan. But around 100 BCE, a volcano called Mount Xitle erupted. It badly affected Cuicuilco. Many people from Cuicuilco likely moved to Teotihuacan. This helped Teotihuacan's population grow very fast.
By 150 CE, Teotihuacan's population was about 60,000 to 80,000 people. Most came from the Mexican basin. The city's population reached its peak around 400-500 CE, with 100,000 to 200,000 people.
Social Classes and Neighborhoods
Teotihuacan had different social classes: high elites, intermediate elites, and working classes. The homes showed these differences. Higher-status people lived in more complex and decorated buildings. These were often near the city center.
The elite homes had beautiful murals. These paintings showed priests, jaguars, and gods. They focused on nature and the supernatural. They didn't often show individual rulers. This suggests the art promoted equality rather than showing off powerful people.
Working-class people included farmers and skilled craftworkers. Craftspeople lived in apartment complexes called neighborhood centers. These centers were important for the city's economy and culture. They made goods like textiles and pottery. Many immigrants lived in these centers, adding to the city's diversity.
Archaeologists can tell what jobs people did by looking at their skeletons. Some teeth show wear from working with fibers. This means they might have made nets. Female skeletons show wear from sewing or painting. Joint wear suggests carrying heavy objects. This matches the imported materials found, like glass and marble.
Religion and Beliefs
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Teotihuacan had several important gods. The main deity was likely the Great Goddess of Teotihuacan. Other gods included:
- The Storm God
- The Feathered Serpent (important at the Feathered Serpent Pyramid)
- The Old God
- The War Serpent
- The Netted Jaguar
- The Pulque God
- The Fat God
- The Flayed God
The city's government was based on its state religion. Religious leaders were also political leaders. They ordered artists to create religious art for ceremonies. Murals and censers (incense burners) showed gods like the Great Goddess or the Feathered Serpent. Censers were lit during rituals to call upon the gods.
Human and animal sacrifices were practiced in Teotihuacan. These were likely part of ceremonies when new buildings were dedicated. Victims were probably captured warriors. They were sacrificed to help the city prosper.
Many stone masks have been found. They were likely used in rituals, though not always for burials.
Exploring the Archaeological Site
People never completely forgot about the ruins of Teotihuacan. Even during Aztec times, it was a place of pilgrimage. Today, it is one of Mexico's most famous archaeological sites.
Excavations and Discoveries
Some early excavations happened in the late 1600s. More serious work began in 1905. Mexican archaeologist Leopoldo Batres led a big project. The Pyramid of the Sun was restored for Mexico's independence celebration in 1910. The site was made a national treasure. Farmers on the land were moved and compensated. A train line was built to bring materials and tourists.
More excavations happened in the 1920s, 1940s, and 1950s. From 1960 to 1965, a major project cleared the Avenue of the Dead. It also restored buildings and excavated the Palace of Quetzalpapalotl.
- Sigvald Linné 1932 investigations, Statens museer för världskultur
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In 1971, workers found a tunnel under the Pyramid of the Sun. It was thought to be a natural cave. But later, it was confirmed to be man-made. The inside of the Pyramid of the Sun has not been fully explored.
From 1980-1982, more work was done at the Feathered Serpent Pyramid. Recent digs at the Pyramid of the Moon have shown more about ancient cultural practices.
Recent Tunnel Discoveries
In 2003, archaeologists Sergio Gómez Chávez and Julie Gazzola found a tunnel under the Temple of the Feathered Serpent. A sinkhole appeared after heavy rain. Gómez Chávez was lowered into the hole. He found a man-made tunnel blocked by large stones. He believed it led to a chamber under the temple.
It took years to plan and get permission to dig. In 2004, ground-penetrating radar was used to map the tunnel. A robot with a camera and laser scanner explored it. In 2009, digging began. By late 2009, the entrance to the tunnel was found. It had been sealed almost 1,800 years ago.
The tunnel is about 100 meters (328 feet) long. It ends in a series of underground rooms. Archaeologists removed nearly 1,000 tons of soil. They found amazing objects:
- Wooden masks with jade and quartz.
- Necklaces and rings.
- Greenstone crocodile teeth and human figures.
- Crystals shaped like eyes.
- Beetle wings in a box.
- Jaguar sculptures.
- Hundreds of shiny spheres.
The spheres were made of clay covered with a yellow mineral called jarosite. They would have looked very bright. These items were placed as offerings to the gods.
One incredible find was a miniature mountain landscape underground. It had tiny pools of liquid mercury representing lakes. The tunnel walls sparkled with minerals like magnetite and pyrite (fool's gold). This created the effect of standing under stars. It was like a recreation of the underworld.
At the end of the tunnel, four greenstone statues were found. They had open eyes that would have shone with minerals. These statues might represent the founding shamans of Teotihuacan. They seemed to guide pilgrims to the sacred place.
In 2021, an 1800-year-old bouquet of flowers was found in the tunnel. This was the first time such well-preserved plants were found at Teotihuacan.
Main Monuments of Teotihuacan
The city of Teotihuacan has huge and impressive buildings. These include homes, temples, large plazas, and palaces. The city's layout is considered one of the greatest achievements of the ancient Americas. The quality of the buildings and art shows a very advanced civilization. Its culture spread to many other Mesoamerican groups.
The main monuments are connected by a central road. It is 45 meters (148 feet) wide and 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) long. It is called the "Avenue of the Dead." People once thought it was paved with tombs.
- Pyramid of the Sun: To the east is the massive Pyramid of the Sun. It is the third-largest pyramid in the world. It is 65 meters (213 feet) tall. At its top, there was a large platform where sacrifices were made.
- Pyramid of the Moon: At the north end of the Avenue of the Dead is the Pyramid of the Moon. It is surrounded by smaller platforms.
- Temple of the Feathered Serpent: In the southern part is the Temple of the Feathered Serpent. It is dedicated to the god Quetzalcoatl, a winged serpent. Sculptures of Quetzalcoatl decorate the temple.
City Layout and Design
The Avenue of the Dead is about 40 meters (131 feet) wide and 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) long. It is lined with impressive buildings. These include the Pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon, and the Ciudadela. The Ciudadela contains the Temple of the Feathered Serpent. The Palace of Quetzalpapalotl is also an important structure.
The Aztecs thought the platforms along the Avenue were tombs. But experts now know they were ceremonial platforms with temples on top.
Further down the Avenue is the Ciudadela. This was a large plaza surrounded by temples. It was the religious and political heart of the city. The Spanish named it "Citadel" because they thought it was a fort. Most ordinary people lived in large apartment buildings across the city. Many buildings had workshops where artisans made pottery and other goods.
The city's layout was carefully planned. It used both astronomy and the land's features. The Pyramid of the Sun is aligned to record sunrises and sunsets on specific dates. These dates were important for the Mesoamerican calendar. The pyramid also lines up with a nearby mountain, Cerro Gordo. This shows how the builders combined natural features with their designs.
The San Juan River was even changed to flow around the city's structures. This shows how much effort went into the city's design.
Circles carved into the ground, called pecked-cross circles, are found throughout the city. They helped city planners design the grid. They also helped track the 260-day calendar. These circles are aligned with the city's buildings. This means they also align with important stars and planets.
The Ciudadela was finished during the Miccaotli phase. The Great Compound, probably the city's marketplace, was built across the Avenue of the Dead. A large market shows that the city was well-organized. Teotihuacan was too big and complex to be just a small village.
The Ciudadela is a huge enclosed plaza. It could hold 100,000 people. Its main building is the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. It was surrounded by homes for the upper class. The whole area was designed to impress visitors.
Threats to the Site
The archaeological park of Teotihuacan faces threats from new construction. In 2004, permission was given to build a large store in an archaeological zone. Ancient pottery fragments were found where soil was dumped.
More recently, a light and sound show called Resplandor Teotihuacan caused controversy. Critics say the project damaged stones and caused fractures.
In May 2021, it was reported that a construction crew was bulldozing land on the northern edge of the ruins. They wanted to build an amusement park. This happened despite government orders to stop. At least 25 archaeological structures were in danger.
Images for kids
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View from the Pyramid of the Sun
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View from the Pyramid of the Moon
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Courtyard of the Palace of Quetzalpapálotl
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Figurines at the local museum
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Puma mural in the Avenue of the Dead
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Marble mask, 3rd–7th centuries
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Serpentine mask, 3rd–6th centuries
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Alabaster statue of an ocelot from Teotihuacan, 5th–6th centuries, possibly a ritual container to receive sacrificed human hearts (British Museum)
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Detail of the murals of the palace of Atetelco, dated in Xolalpan phase (c. 450–650).
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A wall painting in Teotihuacan
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Green Bird Procession, Temple of the Feathered Serpents
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From Pyramid of the Moon
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See also
In Spanish: Teotihuacán para niños
