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The Birth of a Culture

Worshiping the Sun and the Moon Teotihuacán was much larger than any city in Europe of the same period. The center of the city covered more than 7 square miles (20 sq km) and was built in a grid pattern. It is thought that the city was inhabited by 125,000-250,000 people in more than 5,000 buildings including at least 2,500 private houses. Teotihuacán had wide streets, temples, tunnels and priests’ houses. The two main buildings were pyramids dedicated to the sun and the moon. The pyramids were covered in white plaster and then decorated with brightly-colored mythological scenes. Even after the city’s power declined it was of great importance to the Aztecs (see pages 18-20) who made pilgrimages to it. empire, but no written documents have been found relating to it and we know very little about the people who built it. We do know that these people explored the lands to the south and controlled the Maya area (see map on page 15) and that they were successful traders who employed thousands of artists to produce tools and pottery for export to neighboring areas. The City of Teotihuacán Among all the early Mexican peoples, none were more powerful than those who built the city of Teotihuacán in the Valley of Mexico. This civilization dates from the beginning of the Common Era to 600 and had a great influence over the rest of Mexico. Teotihuacán was probably the capital of a mighty

T he Zapotecs ruled from the city of Monte Albán. Monte Albán is on top of a hill and consists of a huge pyramid surrounded by smaller temples on raised platforms.

A plan of the center of the city of Teotihuacán.

T his fierce pottery head was found buried with its owner in the city of Teotihuacán.

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