Teotihuacán is a huge and dynamic archeological site that lies in the Mexican basin. This place has some of the largest and most impressive pyramid structures that have been built in the pre Columbian America. And, apparently apart; from all the pyramidal structures that are built here, this place is also known for its massive residential complexes, the very colorful and well preserved mural and of course the avenue of the Dead.

Teotihuacán was one of the largest cities of the entire pre Columbian Americas.  This place used to have about two hundred thousand people living here at that time.  This information places it as one of the most populous places in the world during its time. Period.  The cultural and civil complexes that are associated with this site are referred to the famous Teotihuacán.

There is quite a debate as to whether Teotihuacán used to be the center of the empire. As a very strong Mesoamerican influence is documented. Also there is evidence of a Teotihuacáno presence. . These are observed at many sites in Vera cues and of course the great Mayan region. The ethnicity of the inhabitants here at the Teotihuacán site is a major subject of debate.

Many researchers and experts on this area say that Teotihuacán is a multiethnic state.

The cities where the archeological sites are located are now part of the Teotihuacán municipality which lies in the Mexican state.  This is about forty kilo meters east of Mexico City.  The site is about eighty three square kilometers large. This place was listed as UNESCO World Heritage site in the year nineteen eighty seven.  In fact, this place seems to be one of the most visited places in the whole of Mexico.

The name was given by the Nahuatl speaking people who spoke Aztec even after the Aztec empire fell. This place is believed to be the birthplace of the gods.  Many myths of creation were made reflecting the Nahua stories in Teotihuacán.

The original name of this place was taken from Mayan cultures as ‘puh’, which means place of reeds. This is similar to the many classic and post classic settlements that had names like Tollan, Tula Hidalgo and Cholula.

In modern context, Tollan is understood as any Mayan settlement that was particularly large enough. This meant that the bundles of reeds and rushes that was what made up most of the environment here.

The history of Teotihuacán seems to be quite mysterious. This place has no known origin and founders.  This place, according to many archeologists is said to be Toltec.

This information is based on text that date from the colonial period. Toltec according to the Nahuatl means ‘craftsman of the highest level’.

According to scholars, there has been a speculation that the Xitle volcano erupted which prompted a mass emigration of people from all over the central valley and into the Teotihuacán valley.

Some people also claim that the Totonac people are the real founders of Teotihuacán. As the most of the people from this region; come from Teotihuacán influence.  Some examples of these are the Zapotec, Mixtec and Mayan people. The architecture in the Teotihuacán period was influenced largely by the Olmec people.

The Olmec’s are supposed to be the mother of civilizations here in Meso-America.

The earliest buildings here date back from the year two hundred BCE.  Apparently the largest pyramid here which is the pyramid of the sun was completed in the year one hundred CE.

The city of Zenith reached its peak of progress and achievement by the year four hundred and fifty CE. This apparently was a powerful center of rich cultures that influence was spread all across the Mesoamerican region.

The city was about thirty square kilometers at its peak and had about two hundred and fifty thousand people.

There are many districts here which are housed in the city. Many of them served as haven for people of the Teotihuacán region and influence.  This place spread as far as Guatemala.  There are many fortifications made for the cities and strategically placed military structures.

The political and cultural nature of this place has been a long standing debate. There has been substantial exchange that took places over the many centuries. This was from the Terminal pre classic period all the way into the middle classical period. Late on the Ideas and concepts that were inspired by the Teotihuacán’s were practiced at the Mayan centers all the way into the later classical period.  This happened long after Teotihuacán had declined.

There happened to be a cultural diffusion which showed that the rule here was more direct and military based. The interaction that was had with the later empires like the Aztecs s and the Toltecs were also more or less along the same lines.

Check this place for more information on the beautiful Teotihuacán city.