Who built Teotihuacan?
Quick answer
No one knows exactly who built Teotihuacan. The great city near today’s Mexico City was built by a civilization that flourished from about 100 BC to AD 550, centuries before the Aztecs. Archaeologists call its people Teotihuacanos, but their own name for themselves and their language remain uncertain.
Key facts
- Location
- About 40 km northeast of Mexico City
- Peak
- About AD 100–550
- Population at its height
- Perhaps 100,000 or more
- UNESCO
- World Heritage Site since 1987
The Aztecs found it in ruins
When the Aztecs arrived in the region in the 1300s, Teotihuacan had already been abandoned for centuries. Amazed by its size, they named it Teotihuacan, meaning “the place where the gods were created” in their language, Nahuatl, and believed the gods had created the current world there. The names we use for its buildings also come from the Aztecs.
Key sites
| Site | What it is |
|---|---|
| Pyramid of the Sun | About 65 m tall, one of the largest pyramids in the Americas |
| Pyramid of the Moon | At the north end of the main avenue |
| Avenue of the Dead | A main street about 2.5 km long |
| Temple of the Feathered Serpent | Decorated with carved heads of the serpent god |
A great city
At its height, Teotihuacan was one of the largest cities in the world. It had apartment compounds, workshops and neighborhoods where people from other regions, including the Maya and the Zapotec of Oaxaca, lived. Its influence reached far across Mesoamerica.
Why did it fall?
Around AD 550, major buildings in the city center were burned. Theories include:
- An uprising against the ruling elite
- Drought and food shortages
- Attacks by outside groups
The population slowly declined and moved away.
Visiting
Teotihuacan is one of Mexico’s most visited archaeological sites, an easy day trip from Mexico City. Climbing the main pyramids has been restricted in recent years to protect them; check current rules before visiting.
For the Maya, Teotihuacan’s trading partners, see what writing system the Maya used. For Mexican traditions with ancient roots, read about the Day of the Dead.
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