B8: Teotihuacan Flashcards
what, where, and when was Teotihuacan?
an ancient Mesoamerican civilisation located in the Mexico Valley, existing from 100 BC - 7/8 century CE
what is Teotihuacan also often referred to as
‘the City of the Gods’
what are the potential reasons the unknown founders would have chosen the site for their city?
the natural lava tube cave, associated with creation myths; the San Juan River for water; trading routes; rich source of obsidian → ritual implements and weapons
when did Teotihuacan consolidate power and become a major city of Mesoamerica?
became pre-eminent (powerful, in c. 350 CE+
as well as a major city of Mesoamerica, Teotihuacan was also the main po____, ec_______, and cu_________ in Central Mexico?
political, economic, and cultural centre in Central Mexico
when was the decline and fall of Teotihuacan?
decline in c. 550 CE, and fall in c. 750 CE
what is the Avenue of the Dead?
the city’s main street, which connects the 3 major pyramid complexes (the Pyramid of the Sun, Moon, and Feathered Serpent)
who did the Pyramid of the Moon honour?
honoured the Great Goddess of water, fertility, earth, and creation
what did excavations reveal underneath the Pyramid of the Moon?
burials containing the remains of victims of sacrifice, which had been richly decorated
why was the Pyramid of the Sun situated where it was?
it sits on a four-chambered lava tube cave used for rituals
what was the use of the Pyramid of the Sun in relation to creation?
ancient beliefs in the creation of the sun and moon
what does the height and chambers underneath the pyramid represent
the height of the pyramid symbolises the sun or life, and the chambers underneath represent the moon or death
what is THE significant feature of the Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent?
serpent god structures covered the temple’s sides.
what was found under the Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent?
100 possibly sacrificial victims were found buried beneath the structure.
who is Quetzalcoatl?
1/3 of the major deities, the creator god, and patron of rain, science, and agriculture
what does Quetzalcoatl’s divine and human nature allow him to do?
divine nature allows him to reach for the sun, and human nature allows him to creep along the ground
what type of religion was Teotihuacan?
polytheistic
what was the function of the Great Goddess?
deity of fertility, death, war, darkness, the underworld & earth
what was the function of Tlaloc (the Rain God)? what is he associated with regarding the physical environment of Teotihuacan?
God of rain, water, and fertility who maintained water resources & availability → associated with the mountains’ life-giving rain & lightning.
who is the third main deity of Teotihuacan?
Quetzalcoatl.
what sources/remains/artifacts have been found at Teotihuacan?
murals, sound scrolls, glyphs, pottery, funerary masks, and human & animal remains.
what do the glyphs represent?
signs or symbols that represent the deities of Teotihuacan → Tlaloc identified by face mask & lightning bolt
what did human & animal remains suggest about the religious practices of Teotihuacan?
sacrificial offerings for the Gods, dedicated to the construction of monumental buildings, made in times of crisis and made to help the city prosper.
how were the human & animal sacrifices killed?
decapitation, heart removed, or buried alive
