wku logo

ANTH 336  New World Prehistory
Dr. Darlene Applegate
Fall 2006
Mesoamerica Culture Area
Teotihuacan Civilization



Teotihuacan is the name of a complex society and an archaeological site.


TIME PERIOD

Classic Period
AD 0 - 650
 

LOCATION

central highlands of Mexico, east side of Valley of Mexico
<>
<>map
<>
<>Map Showing Location of Teotihuacan Heartland and Sphere of Influence. The Site of Teotihuacan
<>
<>is #9 on the Map.            http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/teot.htm
<>


ORIGINS

development of complex society from indigenous groups, probably related to control of long-distance exchange networks and agricultural surpluses


SUBSISTENCE

agricultural system based on chinampas, canal irrigation, and pot irrigation


DIAGNOSTIC ARTIFACTS

slope and panel (a.k.a. talud y tablero) architecture

unique form of architecture in which stepped pyramid levels arose at an angle (slope, talud) and were faced with vertical panels (tablero)

slopetajin
Drawing and Example of Slope and Panel
Architecture El Tajin, Mexico.   
http://www.hal-pc.org/~dasmith/tajin/buildings.html


thin orange pottery vessels

potterypottery
http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/teotihuacan-ceramics.htm


SETTLEMENT STRATEGY

settlement pattern included habitation sites in valley floor

settlement system included ceremonial centers surrounded by dispersed farming settlements of various sizes


SITES

Teotihuacan

occupied from about 100 BC to AD 750

at its height, the site covered over 11 sq miles and had a population of 150,000-250,000

planned city, with major structures arranged around Avenue of the Dead

multiroom compounds for domestic structures

the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon are two main monumental public buildings; the former was built over a cave (though it may be a man-made passageway instead)

local obsidian source was source of wealth and was trade over long distances

map
Map of the Ceremonial Complex at Teotihuacan.    http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/teot.htm

sunmoon
(Left) Pyramid of the Sun and (Right) Pyramid of the Moon at the Site of Teotihuacan. Note Slope-and-Panel Architecture in Both Pyramids,
and Stairs on Pyramid of the Moon.       http://www.latinamericanstudies.org

teoteo
(Left) Temple of the Feathered Serpent at Teotihuacan and (Right) Detail of Facade.         
http://www.latinamericanstudies.org

other sites in the Teotihuacan heartland are Cuiculco, Xi’o, Tenayuca, Zumpango


POLITICAL ORGANIZATION

probably a theocracy


DECLINE
   
collapsed under own weight of the bureaucracy, plus loss of control of trade

depopulation of city to rural settlements

collapse followed by regionalization of political influence (no single political leader)



Return to New World Prehistory Home Page

Visit the Western Kentucky University Home Page, Western Online
Page composed by Darlene Applegate, darlene.applegate@wku.edu
Last updated on November 10, 2006
All contents copyright (c), 2006. Western Kentucky University.