Teotihuacans

Teotihuacans were the inhabitants of Teotihuacan, an influential ancient city in the Basin of Mexico, near present-day Mexico City. The city flourished roughly from 100 BCE to 550–750 CE and supported a large, diverse population. Teotihuacan was a major center of administration, religion, and commerce, and its urban planning and monumental architecture helped shape subsequent Mesoamerican urban design.

The core of Teotihuacan is laid out along the Avenue of the Dead, flanked by residential compounds, workshops, and ceremonial precincts. The Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon dominate the monumental landscape, while the Ciudadela housed important sacred monuments, including the Temple of the Feathered Serpent. The city’s monumental architecture and dense residential blocks reflect a sophisticated, centrally planned urban system.

Economy and society in Teotihuacan centered on craft production, long-distance exchange, and intensive labor organization. Production areas for obsidian, ceramics, textiles, and other goods supported both local needs and external trade networks that extended across central Mexico and beyond. Social structure appears to have included an elite class and specialized professional groups, though no single ruler is identified in the same manner as later states.

Religion and culture were highly integrated with daily life and urban space. The city displayed a diverse pantheon in its art and architecture, with ritual activity evident in temple complexes, offerings, and symbolic sculpture, including the famous Feathered Serpent motifs. The precise language and political institutions of Teotihuacans remain partly unknown, making much of their internal life a subject of scholarly debate.

Decline and legacy: Teotihuacan’s influence waned after the midfirst millennium, with substantial abandonment by around 550–750 CE. The reasons are debated, including environmental stress and social change. The city’s urban form, art, and iconography influenced later central Mexican cultures. Excavation began in the 19th century, with major work in the 20th century; the site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.