Teotihuacan Flashcards
What and when was Teotihuacan?
Teotihuacan is known today as the site of many of the most architecturally significant Mesoamerican pyramids built in the pre-Columbian Americas, namely the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon. Although close to Mexico City, Teotihuacan was not a Mexica (i.e. Aztec) city, and it predates the Mexica Empire by many centuries. (1 CE to 500 CE)
What is Talud-Tablero style architecture?
Talud-tableroconsists of an inward-sloping surface or panel called the talud, with a panel or structure perpendicular to the ground sitting upon the slope called the tablero. This may also be referred to as the slope-and-panel style. We are uncertain of the language spoken.
The Avenue of the Dead
Created during the period of Teotihuacan it is a long strech of temples, lineage temples in the distinct Talud-Tablero style architecture. With many apartment complexes where relatives lived together,
What was the Teo artistic style like?
Highly abstract, figurative, flat depictions of people that were entirely 2D and stylised with no apparent attempt at naturalism or realism. Not portraiture, figures unspecific, generic. With cartoonesque shortened limbs. Highly linear. This may be why the rulers of Teotihuacan are still a mystery.
Teo glyphs
Figures depicted speaking with ‘breath’, within this breath are glyphs determining speech and meaning. (Link to Nembutsu practicng monk Kuya sculpture).
Pyramid of the Sun
Over 60m tall and originaally built in a single phase (Unlike the Aztec Templo Mayor), incredible feats of architecture in a relitively short time span suggests an existing centrallized authority, yet even in the caves beneath the pyramids there is no evidence of such a ruler.
Temple of the Moon
Positioned in front of the Cerro Gordo (FAT MOUNTAIN) to further highlight it’s grandeur and importance. Analysis of bones present at the temple suggests it contained a bestiary where they would feed and keep precious animals to be used sacrifically. Eagle and jaguar bones found despite not being native to the area.
The Ciudadela and Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent
Situated in a plaza near the citadel. Face of the rain God Tlaloc with his charicteristic ‘goggle’ eyes and fangs protruding from the nose. Sharing a likeness to a nose plug, a status symbol of great prestige in Mesoamerica. It would have been a place to gether and perform religious rituals such as sacrifice in order to ensure there was sufficient rain for crop harvest.
The feathered serpent’s name : QUETZALCOATL
Quetzalcoatl, the Aztec god of wind, air, and learning, wears around his neck the “wind breastplate”, “the spirally voluted wind jewel” made of a conch shell. Below the pyramid there are sacrificed warriors with their charictaristic jaw bone necklaces, also wearing shell necklaces that were likely an offering to Quetzacoatl.
What was Teotihuacan’s legacy?
Lots of influence on Aztecs, both have jade green funeral masks with many similarities. Tlaloc still worshipped by Aztecs.
