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. The Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan presents an awe-inspiring sight, its massive form rising impressively against the sky. This stepped pyramid, the third-largest in the world, showcases the grand scale and precise geometry of Mesoamerican architecture. The pyramid's tiered structure is clearly visible, with its broad base tapering towards a flat top. Built around 200 CE, it stands approximately 216 feet (66 meters) high and measures about 733 feet (223 meters) across at its base. The reddish-brown local volcanic stone used in its construction gives the pyramid a distinctive hue that contrasts with the surrounding landscape. Visitors can likely be seen climbing the steep steps on one side of the pyramid, providing a sense of scale to this enormous structure. The pyramid's position along the Avenue of the Dead, Teotihuacan's main thoroughfare, emphasizes its central importance in the ancient city's layout and likely its religious significance. While its original purpose remains a subject of scholarly debate, the Pyramid of the Sun is thought to have had great religious and cosmological importance to the people of Teotihuacan. Its alignment with celestial events suggests it may have been used for astronomical observations or rituals. Today, the Pyramid of the Sun stands not only as Teotihuacan's most recognizable landmark but also as an enduring symbol of the architectural and cultural achievements of ancient Mesoamerican civilization. It continues to inspire awe in visitors and researchers alike, offering insights into the beliefs, skills, and ambitions of its builders.
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
