Teotihuacan culture history

Teotihuacan (Nahuatl: Teotihuacán "Place where gods were made, city of the gods") is the name given to what was one of the largest cities in Mesoamerica during pre-Hispanic times.In truth, no one knows the identity of the people who founded TEOTIHUACAN. The city had been abandoned long before the arrival of the Spanish in Mesoamerica, so that the few references to the City that were preserved in historical sources produced in the years after the Conquest of Mexico do not speak properly of the inhabitants of Teotihuacan but the representation of them were those who lived in Anahuac after the collapse of Teotihuacan. The Nahua informants of Bernardino de Sahagún TEOTIHUACAN thought was where the gods gathered to give rise to Nahui Ollin, the fifth sun according to Indian mythology, which illuminates the contemporary era.According to colonial sources, the Nahua thought that Teotihuacan was built by the QUINAMETZIN, a race of giants that populated the world during the previous era and whose survivors were hidden. Temples, pyramids of the city were imagined as the graves of the men who founded the city, a sacred place to die and be buried, men become gods.The Teotihuacan Valley is part of the Basin of Mexico. It is located in the northeast of the large glass lake over 14 000 km2, within which currently represent the state of Mexico

POSSIBLE SOCIAL CLASS TEOTIHUACAN

The population increase in the Teotihuacan Valley is related to the progressive abandonment of CUICUILCO, but there is evidence that other towns in the basin of Anahuac were absorbed by the growth of Teotihuacan. The location of the city reveals that the founders sought a strategic position that favored agriculture and ensure the supply of the city. Areas with springs in the Sierra de Cerro Gordo Patlachique and show a greater concentration of population than the valley, because they have conditions for a high-yield agriculture. It may be possible that somehow the elite of the region has motivated people to focus on the region of Teotihuacan.

The urban process that led to the founding of TEOTIHUACAN received the cultural contribution of the CUICUILCAS, possessing a complex social organization and strengthened the centralized structure of Teotihuacan. THE LOCATION OF THE CITY allowed strategic resource exploitation in Mesoamerica, such as obsidian in Otumba and Saw Blades, products of Lake Texcoco, water springs and control Patlachique routes ANÁHUAC trade between the coast and the Gulf of Mexico. All these factors are part of the scenario that led to the completion of the urban project and Teotihuacan Teotihuacan state-building as one of the most powerful pre-Columbian history of Mesoamerica.

IN PHASE Patlachique consolidates the urban center of Teotihuacan. The site experienced a disproportionate population at this time. Taken together, the Basin of Mexico may have grown to 100,000 inhabitants, of whom about 25,000 were based in Teotihuacan. Part of that growth is usually explained as a result of the decline of CUICUILCO.

Who are the PRIESTS Teotihuacan that for centuries ruled the great city of Teotihuacan IMPERIAL?

The Gods most important are:

     Tlaloc: God of rain

     Quetzalcoatl, god of wisdom

     Chalchiuhtlicue: goddess of rivers and seas

     Huehueteotl: god of fire

In Teotihuacan and found two worship gods later the Aztecs: Quetzalcoatl and Tlaloc.

PAINTING THE LEGENDS Quetzalcoatl as a chief venerable, just, chaste and serene, loving sobriety and righteousness, who ruled the Toltecs. This is because CE ACATL Topiltzin, leader of the Toltecs, TOOK HIS NAME "CE ACATL Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl".

But QUETZALCÓATL rejected human sacrifice, and many sorcerers and violent gods, who wanted a blood meal, they began to plot intrigues against the Great King. Sahagún recounts in his book 3, chapters 2 through 14, as ruled Quetzalcoatl in Tula, until they came to him three evil sorcerers, and one of them, Tezcatlipoca, got him drink white wine from the land (pulque), which he did get drunk. In his drunkenness, Quetzalcoatl did shameful things, and realizing his fault (drunkenness was a serious sin among Indians), gave up to Tezcatlipoca, and fled to the East, aTLAPALLAN, but promised to return one day, and to regain what was theirs.

The date for his return was prophesied in such incredible coincidence as providential, because in 1519 the Christian calendar-ACATL añoCE, had to return Quetzalcoatl, who many years before had left by the sea on a raft of snakes.

ARCHAEOLOGY:

Teotihuacan is one of the largest archaeological sites in Mexico, has many architectural relics, among which are about 600 pyramids, palaces and important addition to housing developments with splendid murals. Some of the most important buildings of the complex are:

The Avenue of the Dead: Cross by the archaeological center, is four kilometers long and 40 meters wide, and communicates the Citadel with the Square of the Moon. A halfway highlights the Set Square West and the entire road is lined housing complexes, probably occupied by priests in ancient times.

The Citadel: Located at the southern end of the ceremonial center. It was built around 200 B.C. quadrangle-shaped, 400 meters long. Here are housed important religious buildings such as the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, a central shrine housing complexes, where senior leaders are believed lived.

The Temple of Quetzalcoatl: Located inside the Citadel. It is one of the main buildings of the archaeological site, was dedicated to the deity that bears his name. It has a facade that holds snakeheads accompanied aquatic motifs such as shells and snails, representations of Tlaloc and Plumed Serpent.

The Pyramid of the Sun: Located in the center of the archaeological site. This monument was built between 1-150 AD over a natural cave. It has 64 meters high and 215 feet square, which makes it one of the largest buildings in Mesoamerica.

The Plaza and Pyramid of the Moon: Located at the north end of the Avenue of the Dead. Built between 1-150 AD, the pyramid has a height of 40 meters, over an area of ​​1,800 m² at its base. It is comprised of four main bodies on which is attached a large temple with a stepped slope and a board. Given this structure are observed nine smaller size bodies that surround the square.

Quetzapapálotl Palace: Located southwest of the Plaza de la Luna. Also known as "Butterfly Palace", is believed to be home of the priestly hierarchy. Inside are the remains of carvings and murals.

The Patio of the Jaguars: Located southwest of the Plaza de la Luna, next to the Palace of Quetzalpapálotl. It was built between 450-650 A.D. The courtyard is surrounded by rooms, whose walls are remains of mural paintings with figures of jaguars, which in some cases have shells, snails and plumes. Believed to be the plot of a ritual to bring rain.

HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE:

In the vicinity of the archaeological site of Teotihuacan are some villages that preserve important examples of sixteenth-century architectural legacy.

Temple and Ex Convent of San Agustín: Located in Acolman, ten minutes from the archaeological zone and 38 km northeast of Mexico City. It was built between 1539 and 1560 by the Augustinian friars. Its cover is Plateresque own sixteenth century. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Ex Convento de San Juan Evangelista: Located in San Juan Teotihuacan, three kilometers from the archaeological zone and 48 km from Mexico City. Its construction dates back to 1548. Enclosure was the Franciscan church and boasts a beautiful old tower and a steeple topped by battlements shaped cactus. Open daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Ex Convent Oxtotipac: Located in Oxtoticpac, five kilometers from Teotihuacan. It is an example of religious colonial architecture of the sixteenth century, it is said that its foundation houses the remains of two important chichimecas hierarchs. Open daily from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.

ARTS AND CRAFTS:

Samples representing Teotihuacan craft are ornamental objects onyx, obsidian and glass. Furthermore figurines are made of quartz and malachite, as well as reproductions of prehispanic pieces in clay and plaster. These crafts are sold within the archaeological site and the flea market on Mondays, in the village of San Juan Teotihuacan.

FESTIVALS AND TRADITIONS:

In the neighborhood of Teotihuacán are held several festivals full of tradition. In San Juan Teotihuacan, in March, performed the "National Fair Obsidian" and on 3 May is celebrated the "Day of the Holy Cross." On September 10, in the nearby town of Acolman performing a festival in honor of St. Nicholas, accompanied by processions and dances.

CUISINE:

In Teotihuacan provides a sample delicious cuisine from around the State of Mexico in its many restaurants and quaint informal jobs. Among the most recommended dishes are barbecue, mutton broth and pork carnitas.

You can also find cooking demonstrations that resulted from the merger of pre-Columbian and modern food such as capulines, Mount fungi, the salamanders and the traditional pulque. Other delicacies consumed in the region are the sausage, place tacos, tamales of minnows, tummy, squash blossom quesadillas, huitlacoche, tlacoyos and gorditas, among others.

MUSEUMS:

In the vicinity of the archaeological site of Teotihuacan are numerous cultural venues, museums and research centers that complete, clarify and document the cultural depth to which the region has.

Archaeological Site Museum: Located inside the archaeological site of Teotihuacan, south of the Pyramid of the Sun exhibits interesting examples of work in obsidian, pottery, shell and bone produced by ancient Teotihuacan. Open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Teotihuacan Painting Museum: Located inside the archaeological site of Teotihuacan, west of the Pyramid of the Moon. It exhibits many murals that have been rescued over the excavations, they are represented in rituals, ceremonies, deities and scenes from everyday life. Open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Teotihuacan Culture Museum: Located inside the archaeological site of Teotihuacan, south of the Pyramid of the Sun shows the stages of development of Teotihuacan in this city, and parts salvaged from the many excavations. It also features a scale model of the archaeological. Open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Study Center and Museum Manuel Gamio Teotihuacan: They are located at kilometer 46 of the Mexico - Pyramids. It is the main venue dedicated to the study and dissemination of knowledge Teotihuacan culture. It is the Museum Manuel Gamio which has several temporary exhibition rooms, auditorium, library, photo library, planoteca over 2000 drawings and archaeological projects and video library. Open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.