The Pyramid of the Sun Teotihuacan Mexico pre Aztec pyramid temples
Teotihuacan was, at its height in the first half of the 1st millennium CE, the largest pre-Columbian city in the Americas, and is located in what is now the San Juan Teotihuacán municipality in the State of Mexico. The city during its existence was larger than any European city of the same era, possibly including Rome. It was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. The civilization and cultural complex associated with the site is also referred to as Teotihuacan. The early history of Teotihuacan is quite mysterious, and the origin of its founders is debated. The original name of the city is unknown. The earliest structures on the site date from approximately 2,000 years ago. It pre-dates the Aztec empire and was already in ruins when discovered by these people. The city's broad central avenue, called "Avenue of the Dead", is flanked by impressive ceremonial architecture, including the immense Pyramid of the Sun (second largest in the New World after the Great Pyramid of Cholula) and the Pyramid of the Moon. Along the Avenue of the Dead are many smaller talud-tablero platforms. The Aztecs believed they were tombs, inspiring the name of the avenue. Now they are known to be ceremonial platforms that were topped with temples. Further down the Avenue of the Dead is the area known as the Citadel, containing the ruined Temple of the Feathered Serpent. This area was a large plaza surrounded by temples that formed the religious and political center of the city. The religion of Teotihuacan is similar to those of other Mesoamerican cultures. Many of the same gods were worshiped, including the Feathered Serpent and The Rain god. Teotihuacanos practiced human sacrifice and human bodies and animal sacrifices have been found during excavations of the pyramids at Teotihuacan. Some were decapitated, some had their hearts removed, others were killed by being hit several times over the head and some were even buried alive.
Size: 5121px × 3414px
Location: Mexico
Photo credit: © Travelpix / Alamy / Afripics
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