TEOTIHUACAN, Mexico — The colossal Pyramid of the Sun dominates the landscape at the Teotihuacan Archaeological Site. This monumental structure, one of the largest ancient pyramids in the Americas, stands as a testament to the architectural and engineering prowess of this pre-Columbian civilization, located about 25 miles northeast of Mexico City.
Photograph by David Coleman. Teotihuacan, located northeast of Mexico City, stands as one of the most impressive and influential cities of pre-Columbian America. Flourishing between 100 BCE and 550 CE, Teotihuacan was the largest urban center in the Americas during its zenith, covering nearly 8 square miles and hosting a population estimated at its peak to be over 150,000 inhabitants. The city's most iconic structure, the Pyramid of the Sun, dominates the landscape. Standing at approximately 216 feet (66 meters) high, it is one of the largest structures of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. The pyramid's construction demonstrates the advanced architectural and astronomical knowledge of Teotihuacan's builders, as its sides align precisely with cardinal directions. Running through the heart of the city is the Avenue of the Dead, a 130-foot-wide, thoroughfare that served as the main axis for the city's meticulous grid layout. This central avenue is flanked by smaller pyramid structures, platforms, and the remains of what were once vibrant, colorfully painted residential and administrative buildings. At the northern end of the Avenue stands the Pyramid of the Moon, while the southern end is marked by the Ciudadela complex, which includes the intricately decorated Temple of the Feathered Serpent (Quetzalcoatl). These structures, along with numerous other temples and palaces, showcase the distinctive talud-tablero architectural style characteristic of Teotihuacan. The city's influence extended far beyond its immediate vicinity, with evidence of Teotihuacan's cultural, religious, and economic reach found throughout Mesoamerica. Despite its significance, much about Teotihuacan remains shrouded in mystery, including the identity of its founders and the reasons for its eventual decline and abandonment. Today, Teotihuacan serves as a major archaeological site and tourist destination, offering visitors a glimpse into the grandeur of ancient Mesoamerican civilizat
Size: 7238px × 4831px
Location: Teotihuacan, San Juan Teotihuacán, Mexico
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: agriculture, america, ancient, archaeological, archeological, archeology, art, attraction, avenue, ball, burial, center, chronology, city, civilization, collapse, compounds, cosmology, dead, destination, excavations, game, heritage, historical, history, landmark, management, masks, mesoamerica, mesoamerican, metropolis, mexican, mexico, moon, north, obsidian, palace, pilgrimage, planning, plaza, pre-colombian, pre-hispanic, pyramid, pyramids, quetzalcoatl, quetzalpapalotl, religion, residential, ritual, ruins, site, sites, state, stepped, stone, sun, temple, teotihuacan, teotihuacá, tourist, trade, unesco, urban, valley, water, workshops, world
