Mexico DF 6: Teotihuacán
3 June 2010
Teotihuacán is 50 clicks north of downtown Mexico, a pleasant day-trip and a must if you’re in around. Now, on to today’s history lesson cliff notes:
- These [restored] pre-columbian ruins are what is left of the ancient Teotihuacán city, which, at the time, spilled approximately 30km2 around and was eventually called home to over 200,000 people, for over 700 years.
- Built at the around 200 AD, its two pyramids—of the sun and of the moon—epitomize its past grandeur. The pyramid of the sun is the 3rd largest in the world (70m high) and unlike its egyptian cousins with tombs and secret halls and buried treasures, these are basically a pile of rocks. The museum even adds: “built without the use of the wheels nor animals”. Fun times!
- Also, evidence found suggests the Teotihuacán population was of diverse ethnic backgrounds. Theoretically, these differences are also possible explanations of the internal uprising which tipped the city towards its decline and collapse (900 AD).
- Bonus: Archeological findings have also revealed a great deal of human sacrifices! Double-Fun times!
