Teotihuacan: The Birthplace of the Gods – A Journey Through Ancient Civilization and Mysteries
by Dorothy Bell
Teotihuacan remains a mystery to modern scholars, as the origins of its inhabitants are still debated. While early theories suggested that the Toltecs built the city, including by the later Aztec occupants, current research points to a multi-ethnic population. Unfortunately, the original builders left no written records or decipherable codes, and even the city’s original name has been lost to history.
The most visited portion today is Teotihuacan’s ceremonial center, which represents only five percent of the area that has been scientifically excavated. Remarkably, the city’s builders created this immense urban marvel without the use of wheels or beasts of burden.
Origins and Growth
Construction of Teotihuacan began around 200 BC, initially as a religious center. The city’s main construction phase occurred between 1 and 200 AD, evolving into the largest and most important city in the New World by 500 AD. At its height, Teotihuacan covered 31 square kilometers (12 square miles) and had a population of around 125,000, making it one of the largest cities in the world, even surpassing the size and population of Rome.
Teotihuacan’s design mirrored the alignment of the stars, demonstrating the builders’ advanced knowledge of astronomy. Many of the temples, palaces, and pyramids were adorned with bright limestone stucco, and traces of red paint can still be seen on some structures. The city was also filled with detailed murals, sculptures, and carvings, showcasing the artistic talent of its residents.
Technological and Cultural Influence
As a major urban center, Teotihuacan was a hub of agricultural innovation, technological advancement, and trade. Its influence extended throughout what is now Mexico and into Central America. The city’s religious system, too, spread to other regions, shaping spiritual practices far beyond its borders.
Teotihuacan lacked defensive walls, a sign of its power and dominance. Its influence was not contested by neighboring regions, and its people were highly skilled artisans, crafting goods traded as far away as Guatemala and the Yucatán. These artisans excelled in fields such as astronomy, mathematics, and religious ritual. The city also had an advanced water system, including drainage.
Religion and Rituals
Teotihuacan was a city deeply rooted in religion and ceremony. People from across the region traveled to Teotihuacan to witness its grandeur and participate in its rituals. From the artwork found in the city’s murals, sculptures, and handicrafts, as well as its sacrificial offerings, scientists have concluded that the society was polytheistic, worshipping multiple gods associated with various aspects of life.
Central to their beliefs was the idea that Teotihuacan was the birthplace of the earth. Caves and tunnels held sacred significance, connecting the underworld with the spiritual realm. To maintain divine favor and avert the end of the world, rituals and offerings were made to appease the gods.
While the names of the Teotihuacans’ deities are not known, many of their gods were later adopted by the Aztecs. Among them were the Great Goddess of Creation, Tlaloc (the Storm God), the Feathered Serpent (associated with fertility), and Huehueteotl (the Old God and patron of the home).
Sacrifice
Human and animal sacrifices were an essential part of Teotihuacan’s ceremonies, often marking the completion of new structures or major expansions. Animals such as pumas, wolves, owls, eagles, hawks, snakes, and jaguars were commonly offered. Human sacrifices, too, were common, some involving native Teotihuacans, but many of the victims were captured in battle. Warfare in Teotihuacan was primarily focused on capturing prisoners for sacrificial purposes rather than killing enemies on the battlefield.
The Exodus and Aftermath
Teotihuacan was abandoned around 700 AD, though the reasons remain unclear. Some theories suggest overpopulation, natural disaster, famine, or dissatisfaction with the ruling and religious elite. Others propose that an internal uprising by the lower classes led to the city’s downfall.
About 50 years after the city was abandoned, a great fire destroyed many buildings and artifacts. Theories about the fire range from former inhabitants seeking to destroy their once-sacred city to invaders, such as the Toltecs, attempting to desecrate Teotihuacan’s religion.
By 1320, the Aztecs had taken over the site, naming it “Birthplace of the Gods.” They revered Teotihuacan for its architectural brilliance and believed it to be the location where the moon, sun, and universe were created. Pilgrims from the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán (present-day Mexico City) made regular journeys to this sacred site, adopting many of the Teotihuacan gods and mythologies.
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Teotihuacan was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, recognizing its extraordinary cultural, religious, and architectural significance.
