A few years ago when I lived in Mexico City, sometimes during national holidays, I
traveled to the Teotihuac�n pyramids in the company of family or friends. Here is a
brief review of this enigmatic place.
Teotihucan is the main archaeological zone of the country, as well as the most
visited site by tourists and scientists in Mexico, it is one of the most mysterious
and best preserved archaeological sites in the world. Historians agree that pre-
Columbian civilizations considered Teotihucan the city of the gods and a key
architectural reference when it came to building their own pyramids.
This impressive archaeological zone belongs to the State of Mexico, it is only 50
fifty kilometers from Mexico City. It is a beautiful and interesting place, a World
Heritage Site since 1988 a thousand nine hundred eighty eight, so its visit is
essential. Teotihuac�n was one of the most important cities in Mesoamerica. Even
today, research into its origin continues, but it is clear that it was a
civilization prior to the pre-Columbian civilizations known throughout the American
continent.
To get to the site from the city, use public transport, a section by subway and
another section by bus, the trip was comfortable and safe, it took more or less two
hours to reach the archaeological zone, first passing through the town of San Juan
of Teotihuacan.
Upon arrival I was able to walk the Roadway of the Dead, which formed the central
axis of the city, it is estimated that this street stretched for five 5 kilometers,
and was about forty 40 meters wide, it is located between the imposing Pyramids of
the Sun and the Moon, touring it was an unforgettable experience.
The Pyramid of the Sun is sixty-five 65 meters high, it is the largest
archaeological construction in the city, there is no record of the time it was
built due to lack of evidence, but it is estimated that it was around the year two
hundred 200 before of Christ. The Pyramid of the Moon is smaller, measuring forty-
three 43 meters high, it is associated with the goddess of water called
Chalchiuhticule. At its top, rituals and offerings were made to honor it. This
pyramid marks the limit with the Roadway of the Dead, giving it greater symbolism.
I was also able to visit the minor Pyramids, the Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent
or Temple of Quetzalcoatl, the Temple of Quetzalpap�lotl or Palace of the Minstrels
and the Palace of the Feathered Snails, all with magnificent stone sculptures and
very detailed paintings of the time.
Additionally I was able to visit the museum, where there are countless
archaeological remains, tombs, ceramics and tools among others, as well as
realistic models of what the ancient city of Teotihuac�n was like.
Finally, near the archaeological zone, I was able to enjoy an ancestral show, an
ancient ritual millennial to the gods, presented by a group of indigenous people
from the area. It is about the Voladores de Papantla or Birds of the Earth, the
ritual consists of five bird-men climbing a wooden pole approximately thirty five
35 meters high, on top of the trunk there is a square-shaped structure where four
of them are tied to the post in a spiral, then while doing a ritual with typical
instruments, they rotate the square until they untie themselves from the post and
reach firm ground.
I hope you enjoyed my presentation. Thank you for your time.
---
My trip through the pyramids of Teotihuacan
Date: March 3rd, 2023
Student: Franklin Lazaro
ID: 15028531
Course: English Level II
