"Between 100 and 500 A.D, an ancient people built a flourishing metropolis called Teotihuacan on a plateau about 25 miles from present-day Mexico City
. With its accurately aligned avenues and a huge plaza surrounded by 15 monumental pyarmids, Teotihuacan was bigger than any city in Europe at that time. It covered over nearly 8 square miles and 200,000 people lived there. Teotihuacan was built 700 years before the Aztecs began constructing their capital city of Tenochtitlan. Recently, archaeologists have excavated beneath the Pyramid of the Moon. The archaeologists are looking for clues to the history of this mysterious culture. Tunnels dug into the structure have revealed that the Teotihuacan’s citizens did not remain pleased with their architectural feats for very long. Over a period of several hundred years, the pyramid underwent at least six facelifts and each new addition was larger and covered the previous structure." (End quote--Wikipedia)
. With its accurately aligned avenues and a huge plaza surrounded by 15 monumental pyarmids, Teotihuacan was bigger than any city in Europe at that time. It covered over nearly 8 square miles and 200,000 people lived there. Teotihuacan was built 700 years before the Aztecs began constructing their capital city of Tenochtitlan. Recently, archaeologists have excavated beneath the Pyramid of the Moon. The archaeologists are looking for clues to the history of this mysterious culture. Tunnels dug into the structure have revealed that the Teotihuacan’s citizens did not remain pleased with their architectural feats for very long. Over a period of several hundred years, the pyramid underwent at least six facelifts and each new addition was larger and covered the previous structure." (End quote--Wikipedia)Here are several pictures of the famil
y
y with the Pyramid of the Moon in the background. We started climbing on the largest pyramid, Pyramid of the Sun, so...the Pyramid of the Moon is in the background.
After we finished cli
mbing the Pyramid of the Sun, we descended and started walking up the Avenue of the Dead toward the Pyramid of the Moon. It is in the background.
mbing the Pyramid of the Sun, we descended and started walking up the Avenue of the Dead toward the Pyramid of the Moon. It is in the background.When we finally arrived at the Pyramid of the Moon, we were then able to look back toward the Pyramid of the 
Sun. 
Sun. 
"The name Pyramid of the Sun comes from the Aztecs, who visited the city of Teotihuacán centuries after it was abandoned; the name given to the pyramid by the Teotihuacanos is unknown. It was constructed in two phases. The first construction stage, around 100 A.D., brought the pyramid to nearly the size it is today. The second round of construction resulted in its completed size of 738 feet across and 246 feet high, making it the third largest pyramid in the world behind the Great Pyramid of Cholula and The Great Pyramid.
The second phase also saw the construction of an altar atop of the pyramid, which has not survived into modern times. The Adosada platform was added to the pyramid in the early third century, at around the same time that the Ciudadela and Temple of the Feathered Serpent, Teotihuacan Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent were constructed.
The second phase also saw the construction of an altar atop of the pyramid, which has not survived into modern times. The Adosada platform was added to the pyramid in the early third century, at around the same time that the Ciudadela and Temple of the Feathered Serpent, Teotihuacan Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent were constructed.
Over the structure the ancient Teotihuacanos finished their pyramid with lime plaster imported from surrounding areas, on which they painted brilliantly colored murals. While the pyramid has endured for centuries, the paint and plaster have not and are no longer visible. Few images are thought to have been included in the mural decorations on the sides of the pyramid. Jaguar heads and paws, stars, and snake rattles are among the few images associated with the pyramids.
It is thought that the pyramid venerated a deity within Teotihuacan society but the destruction of the temple on top of the pyramid, by both deliberate and natural forces prior to the archaeological study of the site, has so far prevented identification of the pyramid with any particular deity. Some scholars have suggested that the deity of the pyramid was the Great Goddess, one of two major Teotihuacan deities and one of the few goddesses in ancient Mesoamerica. However, little evidence exists to support this theory." (End quote-Wikipedia)
After we visited the Pyramid of the Moon, we descended and visited the palace of the king. My camera battrey ran out of juice so we don't have any pictures of the palace. It was very interesting with murals still showing the paintings of the original inhabitants.
One thing that was quite aggravating, was the fact that there were many government-approved vendors who came up to us and asked us to buy their wares. They were very aggresive and wouldn't go away just because we said we weren't interested. At some point we will return and when we do, we'll know whether we should buy some souvenoirs or no.
By the time we left, the Avenue of the Dead was full of people and one could get a view of what the city must have looked like with hundreds of people in the streets. Also, there were lots of vendors playing flutes and the sound of the music with th
e setting was a special experience. The picture taken below was taken earlier in the day when there were few people in the Avenue of the Dead; however, it gives you a feel for the setting.
e setting was a special experience. The picture taken below was taken earlier in the day when there were few people in the Avenue of the Dead; however, it gives you a feel for the setting.Well, that's about it for our first trip. We got home at 4:30 p.m. after being lost for about an hour in the middle of Mexico City. Driving in Mexico City is another topic for another day. Love, David
2 comments:
Obviously we are jealous of your trip to the pyramids but hey, we get to go back to Rexburg Idaho in a few days and that should be equally gratifying and similarly stimulating as the ancient mysterious pyramids right? We love you guys and are proud of you. I wish you would have gotten a picture of Aaron tied down on top of one of the pyramids at sunset, that would have been sweet.
I am still Praying for Grandpa, I hope all is well there also, tell Mom that I am praying for her too.
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