TEOTIHUACAN - CITY OF THE GODS (1) About 30 miles north of Mexico City is one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world...the ruins of the ancient city of Teotihuacan. The city was constructed by an unknown tribe and was inhabited between 200 BC and AD 700. At its height around AD 600 it had a population of 250,000 and was probably one of the largest cities in the world. Its economy was based on manufacturing and trade, obsidian and pottery being its principal products. Pottery from Teotihuacan has been found as far away as Guatemala, an indication of its commercial importance. Between AD 600 and 700 the city quickly went into decline and was abandoned for reasons unknown. When the Aztecs moved into central Mexico around 1300 they saw the impressive ruins and thought that it surely must have been built by the gods. They gave the site the name by which we know it today...Teotihuacan, the place of the gods.

The ruins of Teotihuacan are dominated by two great pyramids. The smaller of the two, at the northern end of the archaeological site is known as the Pyramid of the Moon. Unlike the pyramids of Egypt, the primary function of the Mexican pyramids was not as tombs. They served as enormous platforms to elevate the temples closer to the heavens.
 

Looking up the steps of the Pyramid of the Moon. The pyramid has only been partially restored, and it is not possible to climb to the very top.
 

From part way up the Pyramid of the Moon there is an excellent view. We see the Avenue of the Dead, the principal street which ran the entire length of the city, and the Pyramid of the Sun, the larger of Teotihuacan's two great pyramids.
 

Looking down the steps of the Pyramid of the Moon. The steps of Mexican pyramids tend to be quite steep, making the ascent quite tiring and the descent a bit scary.