Teotihuacan Flashcards
Teotihuacan
Ancient Mesoamerican city in Mexico.
Location
40 km northeast of modern Mexico City.
Pyramids
Architecturally significant structures
Population
Estimated 125
Area
Covered eight square miles (21 km²).
Cultural Significance
Home to multi-family residential compounds.
Avenue of the Dead
Main thoroughfare of Teotihuacan.
Obsidian Tools
Exported fine tools found throughout Mesoamerica.
Establishment
Founded around 100 BCE.
Major Monuments
Constructed until about 250 CE.
Collapse
Occurred between 7th and 8th centuries CE.
Sacking
Major monuments burned around 550 CE.
Extreme Weather Events
Linked to collapse in 535-536 CE.
Religious Center
Began as a religious hub in the first century.
Multi-Ethnic Society
Inhabitants included Nahua
Cultural Influence
Impact seen in Veracruz and Maya regions.
Aztec Connection
Later Aztecs claimed ancestry with Teotihuacanos.
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Designated in 1987 for its historical significance.
Visitor Statistics
Most-visited site in Mexico
Etymology
Name means ‘birthplace of the gods’ in Nahuatl.
Nahuatl Language
Language spoken by Aztecs
Cultural Complex
Refers to the civilization associated with Teotihuacan.
Regional Powers
Post-collapse dominance by Xochicalco and Tula.
Nahuatl Orthographic Conventions
Rules governing Nahuatl written accent placement.
Teotihuacan Pronunciation
Spanish pronunciation: [te.otiwaˈkan]
Puh
Maya term meaning ‘Place of Reeds’.
Tollan
Generic Nahua term for large settlements.
Teotihuacan Name Change
Possibly altered by Spanish colonizers in 16th century.
Teohuacan
Means ‘City of the Sun’ in Nahuatl.
First Human Settlement
Established in Teotihuacan area around 600 BCE.
Estimated Population (600 BCE)
Approximately 6
Period I (200 - 1 BCE)
Development of urban area around abundant springs.
Period II (1 - 350 CE)
Explosive growth; largest metropolis in Mesoamerica.
Monumental Architecture
Notable construction during Period II
Temple of the Feathered Serpent
Key political and religious structure in Teotihuacan.
Avenue of the Dead Complex
Shifted political power center between CE 250-350.
Period III (350 - 650 CE)
Classical period; peak influence in Mesoamerica.
Urban Housing Reorganization
Adaptation to influx of new residents in Period II.
Egalitarian Construction
Focus on comfortable stone accommodations post-300 CE.
Volcanic Eruptions
Destruction of settlements influenced Teotihuacan’s growth.
Cultural Influence
Teotihuacan’s impact spread throughout broader Mesoamerica.
Hieroglyphic Texts
Ancient writings referencing Teotihuacan as ‘puh’.
Teotihuacan’s Hieroglyphs
Indicate its significance in Maya civilization.
Classic Period
Time of cultural and political peak for Teotihuacan.
Population Growth Factors
Economic pull and destruction of rival settlements.
Teotihuacan
Ancient Mesoamerican city with 125
Primate City
Dominant urban center influencing surrounding areas.
Temple of the Feathered Serpent
Richly decorated temple from Teotihuacan’s high period.
Funeral Masks
Artistic artifacts made from green stone and mosaics.
Period IV
Timeframe from 650 to 750 CE
Avenue of the Dead
Main thoroughfare lined with elite housing compounds.
Civil Strife
Internal conflict contributing to Teotihuacan’s decline.
Tributary Relations
Economic dependencies affecting city stability.
Social Stratification
Class divisions impacting societal structure.
Founders of Teotihuacan
Origins remain uncertain; possibly multi-ethnic.
Chinampas
Raised agricultural beds enhancing productivity.
Pyramid of the Sun
Largest pyramid
Xitle Volcano
Eruption possibly caused migration to Teotihuacan.
Toltec Civilization
Later culture mistakenly attributed as founders.
Late Formative Era
Period before Teotihuacan’s rise
Mesoamerican Urbanization
Early settlements formed around 300 BCE.
Canoe Traffic
Transport method for food around Teotihuacan.
Zapotec and Mixtec
Cultures contributing to Teotihuacan’s diverse heritage.
Archaeological Evidence
Lack of dynastic rulers in Teotihuacan artifacts.
Ruins by Aztecs
Teotihuacan already in decline during Aztec era.
Cultural Aspects
Diverse influences from various Mesoamerican peoples.
Building Reconstruction
Massive efforts to rebuild during Teotihuacan’s peak.
Collective Governance
Leadership structure involving shared decision-making.
Sihyaj K’ahk’
Warlord who conquered Tikal in 378 CE.
Feathered-Serpent
Cultural symbol associated with Teotihuacan.
Coup d’état
Overthrow of a government or ruler.
K’inich Yax K’uk’ Mo’
First king of Copán’s ruling dynasty.
Copán
Ancient Maya city in modern Honduras.
Quiriguá
Maya city established by Copán’s dynasty.
Zenith
Peak period of Teotihuacan’s cultural influence.
30 km²
Area covered by Teotihuacan at its peak.
150
0
250
0
Mesoamerican Region
Cultural area encompassing central Mexico to Guatemala.
Cultural Interactions
Exchanges between Teotihuacan and Maya centers.
Teotihuacan-inspired Ideologies
Cultural motifs influenced by Teotihuacan.
Talud-tablero
Architectural style featuring sloping sides and panels.
Red Paint
Common decorative element in Teotihuacan architecture.
Political Dominance
Control exerted by one state over another.
Cultural Diffusion
Spread of cultural traits between societies.
Terminal Preclassic
Period before the Classic era in Mesoamerica.
Mid-Classic Period
Timeframe when Teotihuacan’s influence peaked.
Toltec and Aztec
Later empires influenced by Teotihuacan.
Petén Basin
Region in Guatemala with significant Maya sites.
Iconographic Motifs
Symbolic images used in art and architecture.
Talud-tablero style
Architectural style prevalent in Mesoamerica.
Preclassic period
Era before the Classic period in Mesoamerican history.
Teotihuacan
Ancient Mesoamerican city known for its pyramids.
Obsidian artifacts
Tools and objects made from volcanic glass.
Spearthrower Owl
Ruler of Teotihuacan for over 60 years.
Maya inscriptions
Written records detailing interactions with Teotihuacan.
Wagner Murals
Famous murals related to Teotihuacan’s artistry.
Civic structures
Public buildings central to Teotihuacan’s urban life.
Avenue of the Dead
Main thoroughfare in Teotihuacan
Population decline
Decrease in Teotihuacan’s inhabitants starting around the 6th century.
Ilopango volcano
Volcano in El Salvador linked to climate changes.
Malnutrition evidence
Signs of poor nutrition found in juvenile skeletons.
Agricultural crops
Maize
Ecological decline
Environmental degradation affecting Teotihuacan’s sustainability.
Internal unrest hypothesis
Theory suggesting internal conflict led to Teotihuacan’s decline.
Drought theory
Climate change causing crop failures and famine.
Cholula
Nearby center that rose after Teotihuacan’s decline.
Xochicalco
City that emerged as Teotihuacan lost power.
Cacaxtla
Site competing for influence after Teotihuacan’s fall.
Eclectic motifs
Diverse artistic styles blending various Mesoamerican influences.
Classic period
Time of cultural flourishing in Mesoamerica.
Epi-Classic period
Period following the Classic
Mesoamerican city-states
Independent urban centers in ancient Mesoamerica.
Classic Maya collapse
A series of events leading to Maya state decline.
Xochicalco
City sacked and burned in 900 CE.
Tula
City destroyed around 1150 CE.
Nahua migrants
People who repopulated the area in 1200s CE.
Huexotla
Region that controlled area by 1300s CE.
Tlatoani
Ruler or king in Nahua culture.
Huetzin
Tlatoani of Huexotla
Tezozomoc
Tlatoani of Azcapotzalco who invaded Huexotla.
Totomochtzin
Installed ruler by Tezozomoc after Huetzin.
Aztec Empire
Formed in 1427
Teotihuacan
Multi-ethnic city
Totonac language
Language likely spoken in Teotihuacan.
Nahua language
Language of the Aztecs
Mount Xitle
Volcano whose eruption displaced Cuicuilco’s population.
Cuicuilco
Rival city to Teotihuacan
Eruption of Popocatepetl
Earlier eruption causing agricultural degradation.
Tzacualli phase
Period of population growth in Teotihuacan (1-150 CE).
Miccaotli phase
Period when Teotihuacan’s population peaked (c. 200 CE).
Totonacan ethnic group
Linguistic group influential in Teotihuacan.
Mixe-Zoquean languages
Languages contributing to Mesoamerican linguistic diversity.
Teotihuacan social classes
Three classes: high elites
Avenue of the Dead
Main thoroughfare in Teotihuacan
Teotihuacan Murals
Art depicting nature
Storm God Deity
A prominent god represented in Teotihuacan art.
Great Goddess
Primary deity of Teotihuacan
Feathered Serpent
Important deity linked to the Feathered Serpent Pyramid.
War Serpent
A serpent deity differentiated from the Feathered Serpent.
Netted Jaguar
Symbolic figure in Teotihuacan religious iconography.
Pulque God
Deity associated with the alcoholic beverage pulque.
Fat God
Figurine-associated deity linked to household rituals.
Flayed God
Deity known from figurines
Neighborhood Centers
Apartment complexes serving as economic and cultural hubs.
Craftworkers
Skilled laborers contributing to Teotihuacan’s economy.
Economic Competition
Internal rivalry among neighborhoods enhancing productivity.
Textile Trade
Primary traded item indicating economic specialization.
Archaeological Evidence
Physical remains indicating past societal practices.
Craftsmanship
Skills in painting
Rural Population
Lower class living on city periphery.
Immigration Impact
Diversity in goods due to Mesoamerican migration.
Physical Barriers
Structures separating neighborhood centers in Teotihuacan.
Material Evidence
Imported pottery and raw materials found on-site.
Religious Leaders
Political figures also serving as spiritual authorities.
Civic Architecture
Dominant structures like pyramids reflecting religious significance.
Art Commissioning
Religious leaders hiring artists for ceremonial artworks.
Teotihuacan Stratification
Social hierarchy among laboring classes and elites.
Mural
Artwork depicting religious themes
Censer
Container for burning incense during rituals.
Great Goddess of Teotihuacan
Major deity worshipped in Teotihuacan culture.
Feathered Serpent
Important god symbolizing fertility and warfare.
Human Sacrifice
Ritual offering of humans to deities.
Ritual Sacrifice
Ceremonial killing to appease gods.
Decapitation
Beheading
Heart Removal
Common practice in sacrificial rituals.
Burial Alive
Method of sacrifice involving live entombment.
Teotihuacan Population
One of the largest in ancient Mexico.
60
000-80
100
0
200
0
Teopancazco
Neighborhood indicating multiethnic composition.
Infant Mortality Rate
High rate indicating population sustainability issues.
Perinatal Skeletons
Remains suggesting high infant mortality.
Oxygen Isotope Ratio Testing
Determines where an individual grew up.
Strontium Isotope Ratio Testing
Identifies birthplace and residence at death.
Multiethnic City
City characterized by diverse ethnic groups.
Artifacts
Objects used or created by a culture.
Burial Practices
Customs surrounding the interment of the dead.
Population Influx
Increase in population from outside migration.
Tlailotlacan
Neighborhood of migrants from Oaxaca region.
Oxygen isotope ratio testing
Analyzes migration patterns and cultural heritage.
Barrio de Los Comerciantes
Merchants’ neighborhood with distinct architecture.
Strontium isotope ratio testing
Determines origins based on bones and teeth.
Obsidian workshops
Main source of wealth and tool production.
Teotihuacan writing style
Unique symbols not influenced by neighboring societies.
La Ventilla district
Site of significant writing and symbol findings.
Obsidian
Brittle rock used for tools and trade.
Pachuca mines
Primary source of obsidian for Teotihuacan.
Teotihuacan trade monopoly
Controlled obsidian trade in Middle America.
Cultural interaction
Children and mothers maintained ties to Oaxaca.
Artifacts in Zapotec style
Found in Tlailotlacan
Adobe structures
Round buildings characteristic of Merchants’ Barrio.
Commercial transactions
Obsidian tools traded beyond Teotihuacan’s borders.
Pilgrimage site
Teotihuacan was sacred during Aztec times.
Pyramid of the Sun
Major landmark in Teotihuacan’s archaeological site.
Teotihuacan’s historical significance
Influenced surrounding cultures and trade networks.
Figurines and jewelry
Common obsidian objects produced in workshops.
Tollan myth
Associated with Teotihuacan as sun’s creation site.
Excavations
Uncovered artifacts and structures from ancient Teotihuacan.
Cultural heritage
Maintained through migration and community ties.
Mesoamerican cultures
Influenced by Teotihuacan’s wealth and craftsmanship.
Teotihuacan attractions
One of Mexico’s notable archaeological sites.
Carlos de Sigüenza y Góngora
17th-century archaeologist who excavated Pyramid of the Sun.
Leopoldo Batres
Led major excavations at Teotihuacan in 1905.
Pyramid of the Sun
Major structure excavated and restored in 1910.
Law of Monuments
1897 legislation allowing state control of archaeological sites.
Feeder train line
Built in 1908 to transport materials and tourists.
International Congress of Americanists
Met in Mexico in 1910 during centennial celebrations.
Manuel Gamio
Supervised excavations at Ciudadela in the 1920s.
Sigvald Linné
Conducted excavations in Xolalpan area in 1932.
INAH
National Institute of Anthropology and History in Mexico.
Avenue of the Dead
Cleared and consolidated during 1960-1965 excavations.
Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent
Site of major excavation and restoration from 1980-82.
Pyramid of the Moon
Recent excavations expanded evidence of cultural practices.
Tunnel discovery
Found in 1971 during sound and light show installation.
Manmade tunnel
Recent examinations revealed tunnel beneath Pyramid of the Sun.
Sergio Gómez Chávez
Archaeologist who discovered tunnel beneath Temple of the Feathered Serpent.
Sinkhole
Accidental discovery leading to tunnel exploration in 2003.
Cylindrical shaft
Shape of the tunnel discovered beneath the temple.
Subterranean chamber
Hypothesized location connected to the Temple of the Feathered Serpent.
Excavation goals
Clearing
Cultural practices evidence
Expanded through excavations at Pyramid of the Moon.
Heavy rainstorm
Triggered sinkhole discovery at Temple of the Feathered Serpent.
Tent preservation
Erected over sinkhole to protect from tourist damage.
Tunnel Sealing
Believed to be sealed in 200 CE.
Preliminary Planning
Exploration planning took over six years.
Victor Manuel Velasco Herrera
Geophysicist from UNAM involved in tunnel exploration.
Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR)
Technology used to map tunnel’s internal structure.
Tlaloc II-TC
Remote-controlled robot for tunnel exploration.
Infrared Camera
Device used for capturing images inside the tunnel.
3D Visualization
Technique for creating three-dimensional representations of spaces.
Excavation Permission
Granted by government in 2009 for tunnel digging.
Entrance Discovery
Located by INAH at tunnel’s end in 2009.
Galleries Under Pyramid
Possible burial site for ancient city rulers.
Tlalocan Project
Investigation of the underground tunnel system.
Commemorative Excavation
Part of 100th anniversary of Teotihuacan excavations.
Avenue of the Dead
Location above the underground passage in Teotihuacan.
Feathered Serpent Temple
Temple above the tunnel’s underground passage.
Vertical Shaft
Access point to the tunnel
Corridor Length
Tunnel corridor measures nearly 100 meters long.
Manual Excavation
Soil removal done by hand with spades.
Artifacts Unearthed
Included pottery
Metalized Spheres
Globes ranging from 40 to 130 mm in size.
Pyrite Oxidation
Process forming yellow jarosite on metalized spheres.
Deliberate Offerings
Artifacts deposited as offerings to appease gods.
Miniature Landscape
17 meters underground
Liquid Mercury Pools
Tiny pools representing lakes in the landscape.
Mineral Powder Impregnation
Walls treated with magnetite
Glittering Brightness
Effect mimicking stars in the underworld.
Greenstone Statues
Figurines with garments
Founding Shamans
Figures guiding pilgrims with sacred objects.
Pyrite Mirrors
Used as portals to other realms in rituals.
3D Scanner Documentation
Technology used to record excavation progress.
Artifact Fragments
75
De Young Museum Exhibition
Showcased discoveries since September 2017.
1800-Year-Old Bouquet
Well-preserved flowers found in 2021.
Quetzalcóatl Pyramid
Dedicated to the feathered serpent deity.
Teotihuacan Monuments
Characterized by large
Avenue of the Dead
Central road
Pyramid of the Sun
Third-largest pyramid
Pyramid Dimensions
Base: 219.4 x 231.6 meters; Height: 65 meters.
Human Sacrifices
Performed at the top pedestal of the pyramid.
Pyramid of the Moon
North end of the city
Temple of Quetzalcoatl
Dedicated to the winged serpent god.
Winged Serpent Sculpture
Decorated the temple’s uphill scale.
Ceremonial Architecture
Impressive structures along the Avenue of the Dead.
Cultural Influence
Teotihuacan’s civilization spread across Mesoamerica.
Iconography in Murals
Colored murals depicting butterflies
Avenue of the Dead
Main thoroughfare
Pyramid of the Moon
One of the main pyramids at Teotihuacan.
Temple of the Feathered Serpent
Ruined temple in the Citadel area.
Ciudadela
Religious and political center of Teotihuacan.
Quetzalpapálot
Palace-museum located between main pyramids.
Talud-tablero platforms
Ceremonial platforms topped with temples.
Citadel
Surrounded by temples
Astronomical orientation
City layout aligns with solar events.
Sun Pyramid
Records sunrises and sunsets on specific dates.
260-day calendar
Mesoamerican calendar based on 13 and 20-day cycles.
Cerro Gordo
Mountain aligned with the Sun Pyramid.
Artificial cave
Under the Sun Pyramid
San Juan River modification
River rerouted around city structures.
Urban grid
Designed using pecked-cross circles for layout.
Pecked-cross circles
Urban design feature
Numerology in cross pecking
Placement relates to the 260-day ritual cycle.
Patolli
Ancient Aztec game resembling pecked-cross circles.
Apartment buildings
Housing for common people
Map recreation
Featured in June 1967 Scientific American issue.
Temple construction
Built to meet topographic and astronomical needs.
Cross axes orientation
Aligned with city structures
Cuplike markings
Created by hammer-like device
Urban significance
Cross layout crucial for city planning.
Teotihuacan
Ancient Mesoamerican city known for monumental architecture.
Ciudadela
Enclosed plaza in Teotihuacan
Pyramid of the Sun
Largest building in Teotihuacan
Avenue of the Dead
Main thoroughfare in Teotihuacan
Great Compound
Marketplace likely located west of Ciudadela.
Temple of Quetzalcoatl
Central feature of Ciudadela
Miccaotli phase
Period during which Ciudadela was completed.
Cerro Gordo
Mountain near Pyramid of the Sun
Pyramid dimensions
225m wide
Construction phases
Pyramid built in two stages
Altar atop pyramid
Constructed during second phase
Lime plaster
Material used to finish Pyramid of the Sun.
Mesoamerican alignment
Pyramid aligned with sunrises and sunsets on specific dates.
Jaguar imagery
Decorative elements found on Pyramid of the Sun.
Excavations 1959
First archaeological study of tunnels beneath Pyramid of the Sun.
Tunnel system
Network connecting post-fall tunnels to ancient caves.
Urban grid orientation
Central grid aligns with Pyramid of the Sun.
State organization evidence
Large market indicates complex political structure.
Pyramid of the Moon
Located near Pyramid of the Sun along Avenue of the Dead.
Height of pyramid
71.17 meters or 233.5 feet tall.
Base perimeter
794.79 meters or 2
Lateral surface area
59
Volume of pyramid
1
Millon
Archaeologist who studied Teotihuacan tunnels.
Pyramid of the Sun
Major pyramid in Teotihuacan
Cave System
Network of tunnels beneath the Pyramid of the Sun.
Artifacts
Pottery and tools found in Teotihuacan tunnels.
Ernesto Taboada
Archaeologist who discovered a significant pit.
Seven-meter pit
Depth of the pit found at Pyramid of the Sun.
Sacred Caves
Caves considered holy in Teotihuacan culture.
Chicomoztoc
Mythical place of human origin in Nahua legends.
Muon Detectors
Technology used to find chambers in pyramids.
Ancient Vandalism
Destruction preventing dating of cave use.
Ritual Purposes
Ceremonial uses of the cave system.
Wombs of the Earth
Caves symbolizing creation in Mesoamerican mythology.
Tepeyolotl
Earth deity associated with caves in mythology.
Xiuhtecuhtli
God of fire
Cave Glyphs
Symbols indicating the importance of caves.
Cultural Influence
Different cultures impacted artifacts found in tunnels.
Teotihuacan Popularity
High regard for Teotihuacan among its builders.
Craftsmanship
Quality of pyramid construction indicating skilled labor.
Rites of Passage
Ceremonies linked to cave usage in society.
Royal Tomb
Possible function of the cave beneath the pyramid.
Interpretation Theories
Various explanations for the pyramid’s significance.
Construction Periods
Different times when pyramid sections may have been built.
Etzalcualiztli fiesta
Calendar celebration for Tlaloc
Pyramid of the Sun
Major pyramid aligned with sun’s position.
Street of the Dead
Main avenue in Teotihuacan
Astronomical alignment
Pyramid’s orientation marks sun’s position yearly.
Holy cave
Shrine site covered by the Pyramid of the Sun.
Sacrificial rituals
Ceremonies involving offerings to deities.
Obsidian arrowheads
Artifacts found in the Pyramid of the Sun.
Teotihuacan Ocelot
Historical artifact now in British Museum.
Burial sites of children
Found at pyramid corners
Pyramid of the Moon
Second-largest pyramid in Mesoamerica
Cerro Gordo
Mountain mimicked by the Pyramid of the Moon.
Tenan
Nahuatl term for ‘mother or protective stone’.
Construction period
Pyramid of the Moon built between 100-450 AD.
Avenue of the Dead
Path leading to the Pyramid of the Moon.
Ritual sacrifices
Performed on the Pyramid of the Moon’s platform.
Great Goddess of Teotihuacan
Deity of water
Plaza of the Moon
Area with central altar opposite Great Goddess’s altar.
Teotihuacan Cross
Formation of four rectangular and diagonal bodies.
Pyramid layers
Added to legitimize construction and rituals.
Expansion period
Pyramid of the Moon expanded between 250-400 AD.
Sacrificial victims
Represented by objects found in pyramids.
Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent
Nearby pyramid with similar sacrificial artifacts.
Cave significance
Important in Aztec culture and religious history.
Teotihuacan
Mesoamerican civilization and capital city.
Tzacualli
Initial phase of Teotihuacan (0-150 AD).
Pyramids of the Moon
Major pyramid in Teotihuacan’s urban plan.
Pyramids of the Sun
Another significant pyramid in Teotihuacan.
Great Goddess
Water deity represented by a stone figure.
Talud-tablero
Architectural style of Teotihuacan pyramids.
Avenue of the Dead
Main thoroughfare leading to the Pyramid of the Moon.
Cerro Gordo
Mountain near the Pyramid of the Moon.
Urban planning
Design reflecting cosmological beliefs in Teotihuacan.
Cosmology
Study of the universe’s order and structure.
Archaeological excavations
Excavations revealing Teotihuacan’s historical timeline.
Artifacts
Items found in tombs
Human sacrifice
Ritual practice involving sacrificial victims.
Obsidian blades
Tools found in tombs
Greenstone figurines
Ceremonial objects found in the Great Goddess tomb.
Processional nature
Design reflecting ritualistic pathways in the city.
Orientation
City layout aligned with cosmological ideologies.
260-day calendar
Ritual calendar linked to city’s north-south axis.
Renovations
Pyramid of the Moon underwent at least six alterations.
Burial practices
Customs involving interment of offerings and skeletons.
Religious complex
Center of worship for all Mesoamerican cultures.
Monumental pyramids
Large structures central to Teotihuacan’s architecture.
Sacrificial victim
Human remains found in significant tombs.
Urbanization
Planned development of Teotihuacan’s city layout.
Avenue of the Dead
Main thoroughfare connecting Teotihuacan structures.
Public Plaza
Ritual site at base of the pyramid.
Building Layers
Seven structures built sequentially atop each other.
Building 1
Oldest monument
Talud Style
Architectural style with sloping walls and platforms.
Building 2
Minor enlargement correcting orientation
Building 3
Covered previous structure with minimal expansion.
Building 4
Major enlargement
Building 5
Expanded north-south to 104 meters
Building 6
East-west length 144 meters
Building 7
Final visible structure
Architectural Shift
Change in style indicates ideological transformation.
Ritual Sacrifice
Main function; involved various sacrificial victims.
Burials
Five complexes within pyramid
Burial Complexes
Labeled two to six
Burial Two
Contained a seated male corpse
Sacrificial Victims
Included felines
Obsidian Objects
Found in burial complexes
Figurines
Nonhuman remains found alongside sacrificial offerings.
Teotihuacan Cosmology
Concepts represented through sacrificial offerings and burials.
Structure Four
Indicates political and militaristic changes in Teotihuacan.
High Status Individual
Burial offerings suggest elevated social rank.
Occipital Bone
Part of another individual found in burial.
Burial Pit
Excavated area for interring offerings and bodies.
Figurines
Small sculptures representing humans or deities.
Obsidian Blades
Sharp tools made from volcanic glass
Storm God Vessels
Ceramic containers associated with storm deities.
Greenstone Figure
Sculpture likely depicting a female deity.
Nonhuman Sacrifices
Animals offered in rituals
Oxygen-Isotope Ratios
Method to determine origins using tooth enamel analysis.
Strontium-Isotope Ratios
Technique for tracing geographic origins through bone analysis.
Burial Three
Site with four male skeletons
Political Authority Mats
Textiles indicating status in Mesoamerican cultures.
Severed Heads
Decapitated remains suggesting violent sacrificial practices.
Burial Four
Site with seventeen male skulls
Gag Fibers
Material used to bind victims in burial contexts.
Burial Five
Uncommon burial site with three skeletons
Maya Elites
High-status individuals depicted in specific burial positions.
Rectangular Pectorals
Ornamental items linked to high-ranking individuals.
Animal Spirits
Symbolic representations of deceased individuals’ spiritual guides.
Burial Six
Site with twelve skeletons
Decapitated Skeletons
Remains indicating possible ritualistic violence.
High Status Indicators
Artifacts suggesting elevated social rank of individuals.
Captives
Individuals likely taken in war or conflict.
Sacrificial Victims
Individuals offered in rituals
Teotihuacan
Cosmograms
Representations of the heavens in burial contexts.
Human Sacrifice
Common practice to sanctify buildings in Mesoamerica.
Pyramid of the Moon
Site where war captives were sacrificed.
Sacrificial Victims
Preferred victims were non-local adult males.
Animal Burials
Included felines
Warfare Association
Carnivorous animals linked to military symbolism.
State Growth Correlation
Sacrifice linked to state and military power.
Public Plaza
Core of social life in Mesoamerican cities.
Astronomical Observations
Activities conducted at the Pyramid of the Moon.
Artifacts
Includes greenstone
Wagner Murals
Over 70 fragments removed from Teotihuacan illegally.
Abstract Murals
Depict mythical deities
Communal Belief System
Reflected in the abstract nature of murals.
Hieroglyphic Inscriptions
Few found compared to other Mesoamerican cultures.
Olmec Culture
Preceding culture that Teotihuacan sought to differentiate from.
Xolalpan Stage
Period marked by diverse mural themes and styles.
Decentralization
Indicated by changes in mural themes and styles.
Feathered Serpents
Common motif in early Teotihuacan artwork.
Nine Lords of the Underworld
Represented by nine plants and glyphs in murals.
Migration Myth
References to Aztecs leaving the cave of origin.
Three-Tassel Headdress
Symbolic figure depicted in Wagner Murals.
Ceremonial Center
Moon plaza served as a regional hub.
Pyramidal Structures
Small pyramids within the complex for rituals.
St. Louis Collection
Independent collection of Teotihuacán figures.
San Francisco Collection
Another collection of Teotihuacán figures.
Techinantila Compound
Original site of the mural figures.
Houston Collection
Collection with similar figures to St. Louis.
Milwaukee Collection
Another collection with similar figures.
Storm God
Deity often depicted with tassel headdress.
Three-tassel Headdress
Symbol representing people in Teotihuacán culture.
Tassel Motif
Symbol appearing in distant areas like Tikal.
Stela 31
Depicts military figure with tassel headdress.
Great Goddess
Connected to the three-tassel headdress.
Pasztory’s Notion
Transition in Teotihuacán culture through murals.
Wagner Murals
Murals illustrating communal ideology and individual identity.
Rene Millon
Tracked mural fragments in 1983 and 1984.
Tlacuilapaxco Compound
Location of remaining mural fragments.
Harald Wagner
Collector of Teotihuacán murals
De Young Museum
Museum in San Francisco housing Wagner’s collection.
Illegal Sacking
Looting of Teotihuacán for private market.
Mural Iconography
Used to denote cultural and individual identities.
Avenue of the Dead
Location near Techinantitla compound.
Pyramid of the Moon
Landmark close to Techinantitla compound.
Artistic Components
Architecture and art combined in Wagner’s interests.
Ethical Implications
Concerns regarding acquisition of cultural artifacts.
