Teotihuacan

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Why
Teotihuacan
is special

Teotihuacan is an extensive ancient religious complex near Mexico City. Its many architectural marvels include the enormous Pyramid of the Sun (see photo), one of the grandest monuments ever erected.

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Teotihuacan
tips & insights

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Mysterious origins

Teotihuacan likely dates back to the early 2nd century BC. However, little is known about the ancient people who built it a thousand years before the Aztecs came into power.

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Pronouncing
Teotihuacan

Phonetics: tay'-uh-tee'-wah-kahn

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Pyramid of the Sun

This is the star tourist attraction of Teotihuacan.

Height
It's as high as a modern 20-story building, making it the tallest structure in Teotihuacan.

Steps
They are steep (though they didn't seem so when I intrepidly climbed them as a kid).

Age
Some archaeologists estimate that the Pyramid of the Sun is at least 2,000 years old.

Original purpose
No one knows for sure its original purpose or to whom the Pyramid of the Sun was dedicated (the "sun" designation was bestowed by the latter-day Aztecs).

Aztecs
They used the top of the Pyramid of the Sun as an altar for sacrificing captives of war to the solar god. The hapless souls were marched huffing and puffing up the 247 steep steps to have their hearts ceremoniously ripped out by a priest and their heartless bodies unceremoniously tossed down the sheer sides of the Pyramid of the Sun.

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Pyramid
of the Moon

At the far end of the main thoroughfare sits the Pyramid of the Moon.

Size and fame
It's almost as big as the Pyramid of the Sun and would be world famous if the latter didn't exist.

Climbing
Though shorter, it is harder to climb than the Pyramid of the Sun because its step height is appreciably steeper. Once on top, though, you have the best view of the ancient Teotihuacan complex.

Appellation
The Pyramid of the Moon was named by but not erected by the Aztecs.

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Quetzalcoatl

This is the third major archaeological attraction of Teotihuacan. It's known for its fanciful serpent sculptures.

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History

A quick look at Teotihuacan through the centuries:

Population
Estimates of the population of Teotihuacan in its glory days generally range between 75,000 to 200,000. Those figures would make it one of the world’s largest cities in its time.

Deterioration
After its prime time (from around 200 BC to 350 AD), Teotihuacan slowly deteriorated physically and in spirit, then died.

Aztecs
They did not take possession of the complex until a relatively short time before Cortez invaded Mexico in the 16th century. That was nearly a millennium after the original builders abandoned their religious and commercial center.

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Getting to
Teotihuacan

It is located roughly 50 kilometers (30 miles) northeast of the center of Mexico City. The trip takes an hour or less by bus or car.

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Summer

Middays can be sweltering, so come early or late to avoid the heat (and crowds). And early is preferable to late because thunderstorms occur more frequently in the afternoon.

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Winter

In the wintertime, the temperature can become nippy and a bit raw.

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Shoes

Wear comfortable shoes because Teotihuacan is vast. Even exploring just the highlights requires substantial walking.

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High altitude

The high altitude can make step climbing fatiguing.

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Photographing

Teotihuacan is best photographed in the early morning and late afternoon light (for contrasting shadows).

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