Mesoamerican Ancient Civilisation
Introduction of Mesoamerican Ancient Civilisation
Always fans of chocolate? Admiring the goods in avocado and will surely lick the last remaining bolognese sauce dishes with pasta? If you are saying yes, and hundred percent agree.. Well, we are sharing similar preferences also with other millions of people nowadays on filling our stomach with good foods we believe! But do not get surprise with what you will get to know, just because we did. Those good foods can be said, like literally reasonable to be placed in museums. Sounds amusing? Well, this is how trivia of ancient civilization can still haunt us with their gifts of today’s super delicious food.
The chocolate, avocado and tomato are originally from Mexico as we know, but the exact time of its presence is way back in Mesoamerican civilization. For real, it has existed ever since the majestic of Mesoamerican empire. Hence, to understand more, the Mesoamerican is known from its name which ‘Meso’ brings the meaning of ‘middle’ as counterpart of advanced civilizations of Mexico and Central America. As per say of Mesoamerican for its magnificent reign for its post-existences of many empire during the epoch, these are them which are, Olmec, Maya, Zapotec, Teotihuacan, Mixtec, Inca and Aztec(Mexica). For somehow, it is your luck being here as what will be discovered for today is the intriguing facts about Teotihuacan existence of the pyramids that not much did know, so why not if we beneficially advance from others right? Here we go..!
Maps of Mesoamerican. Picture taken from https://www.themaparchive.com/culture-areas-of-mesoamerica-1000-ce.html
“The City of God”- Teotihuacan
Teotihuacan, the 2,000-years old, master-planned metropolis that was the western hemisphere’s first great city, has long perplexed Mesoamerican archaeologists. The ancient civilization, situated 25 miles north of Mexico City, left behind traces of a peculiar society among the remains of a street system spanning eight square miles. Constructed between the 1st and the 7th century A.D., it is distinguished by the massive scale of its temple, in particular the Temple of Quetzalcoatl and the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, laid down on the principles of geometry and symbolism (UNESCO World Heritage Centre, 2006). They named the ancient ruins “the City of the Gods''. The Moon Pyramid is one of the oldest temples in the area, and it has long been regarded as its cultural center (Hathaway, n.d.). Teotihuacan, one of Mesoamericans most influential cultural centers, widened its artistic and cultural influence across the city, and even beyond. The ancient city is America’s largest pre-Columbian archaeological site, but its remains have long been shrouded in mystery because its occupants have not left written documents behind.
Teotihuacan Pyramids
There are several large, important structures in the city center namely the Moon Pyramid, the Sun Pyramid, the Ciudadela (“Citadel”) and the Quetzalcoatl Temple (the Feathered Serpent), (History.com Editors, 2018). The massive Sun and Moon pyramids, the Ciudadela structure, and dozens of smaller clusters of pyramids, pillars, and plazas are built for more than 2 kilometers along the main Avenue of the Dead as you can see in Figure 1. (Department of the Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas, 2001). About 2000 large and significantly developed multi-apartment housing complexes surround this. The scope of the region that Teotihuacan historically subjugates is still uncertain, but its effects are evident in almost all of Mesoamerica (Cowgill, 1997).
The architects of Teotihuacan suited a cultural urge for cruelty and sacrifice of humans and wildlife. Discoveries of sacrificial victims and weapons in the early 1980’s distorted prior assumptions that Teotihuacan had a prosperous society, as opposed to warlike Aztecs and Maya.
Inside Teotihuacan: The Sun Pyramid
The Pyramid of the Sun, please refer to Figure 2, the largest structure in Teotihuacan stands less than half a mile south of the Pyramid of the Moon. Facing west, the Pyramid of the Sun stands at 216 feet (66 meters) with a base measuring approximately 720 by 760 feet (220 by 230 meters) (“TEOTIHUACAN”, 2018).
The traditional view is that construction of the Sun Pyramid at Teotihuacan commenced in the first century A.D based on ceramics located there. In addition, radiocarbon dates from the man-made cave below the Pyramid denotes that it was constructed at about the same time. Both Pyramid and cave are viewed as being responsible for the establishment of the city. Current excavation in the interior of the Pyramid generated radiocarbon dates that bundled in the mid-third century A.D (Sload, 2015).
The Pyramid of the Sun overshadows central Teotihuacán from the east side of the Avenue of the Dead, the major north–south artery of the city. It was built from various substances including hewed tezontle, a red coarse volcanic rock of the region totalling about 1,000,000 cubic yards (765,000 cubic metres) of materials. On the west side of the pyramid, there are 248 irregular stair steps that ascend to the top of the structure. In addition, Archaeologists suspect that there was once a temple on top of the pyramid. Nevertheless, hardly anything is known of the people who built Teotihuacán, and the intention of the Pyramid of the Sun continuing mainly a subject of conjecture. (“Pyramid of the Sun”, 2019).
According to Hearn (2017), experts once pointed to the Toltec culture. Some noted that the Toltec culminated far later than Teotihuacan's zenith (100 B.C. and A.D. 650), weakening that theory. Some experts say the Totonac culture was behind its construction. Researchers found buried animals and bodies inside the temple, with heads that had been lobbed off, all thought to be sanctification for successive layers of the pyramid as it was built or offerings to gods. Since 2003, archaeologist Sergio Gomez has been digging to acquire new parts of the complex and has only later got to the end of a tunnel that could hold a king's tomb, refer to Figure 3.
One other interesting element about the Pyramid of the sun is the Cave that lies underneath it. According to Heyden (1975), there was an excavation conducted by archaeologist Ernesto Taboada towards the end of 1971 which led to the discovery of an entrance to a seven-meter deep pit which was jammed with rubble and rocks many centuries ago. After being cleaned, it showed an ancient, semi-destroyed stairway made from bedrock leading down the pit. This manufactured stairway led to a natural cave-tunnel piercing the bedrock below the pyramid and ending in a series of chambers in the form of a cloverleaf. After being studied, it is found that the cave is a natural formation as a result of flowing lava that happened more than a million years ago. As it flowed into Teotihuacan Valley, it created bubbles that remained as subterranean caves when new lava flowed over them. These subterranean caves act as outlets for springs. The tunnel and four end chambers were formed naturally although the latter manifested indications of man-made alterations. Due to the fact that an entrance to the 103-meter-long tunnel corresponds with the middle of the pyramid’s initial central stairway and the tunnel itself ends in a series of chambers almost directly under the centre of the pyramid, the existence of this cave must be known when the Pyramid of the Sun was built. The cloverleaf, or four-petal flower, at the furthest point of the tunnel is shaped of four chambers. Numerous vessels of crude manufacture were found in these chambers together with two thin basalt discs beautifully engraved with anthropomorphic figures, one dressed in a bird costume, another as a jaguar.
Inside Teotihuacan: The Moon Pyramid
The Pyramid of the Moon or ‘Pirámide de la Luna’ is the second-largest pyramid after the Pyramid of Sun in modern-day San Juan Teotihuacan, Mexico, refer to Figure 4. It is located in the western part of the ancient city of Teotihuacan. It mimics the contours of the mountain Cerro Gordo north of the site, also known as ‘Tenan which means Nahuatl or ‘mother of protective stone’. This pyramid covers a structure older than the Pyramid of the Sun existed before 200 AD. The north end of the Avenue of the Dead is capped by the Pyramid of the Moon and flanked by platforms and lesser pyramids. The Pyramid of the Moon rises to 140 feet (43 metres) and measures 426 by 511 feet(130 by 156 metres) at its base. Its main stairway faces the Avenue of the Dead. (The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2018).
The Pyramid of the moon, at the northern end of the streets of the Dead, was thought to have completed around 250 A.D. Near the base of the pyramid staircase have uncovered the tomb of a male skeleton with numerous grave goods of obsidian and greenstone additionally sacrificial animals in recent excavations. Refer to Figure 5.,‘The Paradise of Tlaloc’ which was found on the walls in Tepantitla Complex. The Paradise of Tlaloc The mural features a large blue mountain that flows with water irrigates the fields where farmers are shown as reaping crops and sowing seeds. Besides believing that Cerro Gordo provides the life-giving waters that kept the city nourished, it also pictures the Pyramid of the Moon standing in front of the mountain.
There are a few stages of development of the Pyramid of the Moon. The Pyramid of the Moon represents the Tlalocan Mountain with its top tier capped with a temple and acting as the mountain peak. Next comes by the two steps protruding facades that presents the appearance of the cascading water that arches across the mural. Lastly, the Talud Tabero Adosada platform that extends in front of the pyramid acted as the lower blue section where the waters of the vitality flow. (Heyworth, 2014)
The landscape bordering around the Pyramid of the Moon was assuredly designed to host such significant religious events. Straightly beneath the pyramid is the Plaza of the Moon where it measures a gigantic 120m by 132m. The plaza is surrounded by pyramidal bases that would have housed temples and provided viewing platforms for the elite. The Plaza of the Moon and the Avenue of the Dead would assuredly have accommodated around 100,000 strong population of Teotihuacan.
The burials within the Pyramid of the Moon were very particular and assuredly designed to consecrate each additional phase of the construction which there were seven. The original structure which began between 100BC and 100AD sits beneath the Adosada platform in the front of the Pyramid. Whereas it shares the same alignment of 15.25º east of north, wasn’t a mountain but a low platform and research into this unusual alignment suggest that it may have been dedicated to the setting of the Pleiades. Based on the factors, especially size it seems that the Pyramid of the Moon represents the Moon. (Heyworth, 2014)
According to Cowgill, Pyramid of the Moon suspected to hold royal burials where just as the Mesoamerican tradition known from Maya sites such as Palenque and Coba. Whether a human was sacrificed as part of a royal burial or as a building dedication is unclear. Based on the discovery it clearly shows the functions of the great Pyramids and how it has been used to house Royals of Teotihuacan rather than just a place for ritual sacrifice. (Monk)
Teotihuacan pyramids of day and night elements alike are one of the beliefs of the ancient ethnic that carved out of devotion for the spirit of animism. Though isolated, Teotihuacan sophisticated artefacts of monuments never disappoint us with its accomplishments and relevancy. This ancient ethnic can be pre said to have an impressive of good taste in defining god’s credential and class of society in the way of honour the approbation. The Sun Pyramid known for its regal of God’ sits or king apt for burials. Whilst, the Moon Pyramid apt for the carnation of royal and higher class of people which once reputable and liberator for the standing of the civilization which for over 100,000 for its population by 2000 BC.
To have a clearer understanding of Teotihuacan, you may watch the video that has been provided.
Psst.. Don't forget to bring along some savoury snack for you to enjoy. And oh! Please do not forget to have adequate lighting while watching it.
Enjoy your day!
References
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Cowgill,G. L. (1997). FAMSI © 2002 - George L. Cowgill. Retrieved from https://www.famsi.org/reports/96036/index.html#intro
Culture areas of Mesoamerica 1000 CE. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.themaparchive.com/culture-areas-of-mesoamerica-1000-ce.html
Department of the Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas. (2001). Street of the Dead [The Street of the Dead extends about two miles from the Pyramid of the Moon]. Retrieved from https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/teot/hd_teot.htm
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Robin Heyworth. (2014, October 24). A murals that provide a fascinating insight into how the Teotihuacano believed the world worked and how it had to be maintained. Retrieved from https://uncoveredhistory.com/mexico/teotihuacan/tepantitla/
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The rise and fall of Teotihuacan with David Carballo. (2016, March 24). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdQJKEA4ZMI&t=346s
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