Ancient Civilizations of the Americas
Lecture 11
The Basin of Mexico in the
Early Classic
The Culture of Teotihuacan
The Political System
“Arrival” (entrada) of Siyaj K’ak (“Fire Born”) at El Perú
(Guatemala) on Jan. 23rd, 378 AD.
-at Tikal (Guatemala) on Jan. 31st 378 AD.
-Chak Tok Ich’aak, king of Tikal, “enters the water” (dies) on
the same day. Tikal monuments are destroyed.
Siyaj K’ak’ installs a Teotihuacano leader,at
Uaxactun, Tikal in 379, at Bejuca in 381, and
at Rio Azul in 383, and possibly at Palenque.
Tikal Stela 32
The Marcador text at Tikal refers
to Spearthrower Owl, who’s date
of accession is given in 374 AD.
Leader installed at Tikal is a son of
Spearthrower Owl named Yax Nuun Ayiin.
Siyaj K’ak’ rules as regent.
The Marcador from
Tikal, dated to 413 AD.
Stela 31,
Tikal
Mosaic
monster mask
atlatl
Spearthrower
Owl’s death is
given as 439
AD.
Flexible shield with Tlaloc
image
Foreign influences at Teotihuacan
Fragment of Mayan
hieroglyphic text –
deity impersonation.
Compound possibly
occupied by Maya
Quetzalpapálotl Palace
From the Plaza of the Moon
Teotihuacan’s Religion
Gods: The Great Goddess
Mural from Tepantitla
Nauhtl: Ololiuhqui aka Datura
Bottom
portion of
Tepantitla
mural
Pyramid of the Sun
• Originally excavated and reconstructed
by Leopoldo Batres.
• Constructed over a cave that ends in four
lobes. Pyramid construction began 100
AD.
• Consists of four stages, 63m high.
• Caches have been recently discovered.
Tlaloc
Xipe Totec
The Flayed One
World-renowned
Mesoamerican religion
expert on assignment at
Teotihuacan in 1964
Jaguar eating a human
heart
Blood Sacrifice
The Potential Languages of Teotihuacan
Teotihuacan symbols
venus
year
Teotihuacan Economics: Entrepot Sites/Ports of Trade:
Matacapan
Thin Orange Pottery – Made in the Tepexi Region,
Puebla
Teotihuacano Markets:
The Great Marketplace
The Merchant’s Barrio
Circular dwellings
High frequency of
Veracruz-style pottery
The Oaxacan Barrio
Tlailotlacan
AD 300-650
Craft Production during the Middle Horizon 200-750 AD
•Teotihuacan is organized into compounds.
•Craft production is localized in compounds
600 workshops
found to date
12% of the cities’ population is involved in obsidian production
“Theater” Incense braizers
were made in the ciudadela.
Teotihuacan’s Collapse
Teotihuacan’s influence on centers beyond the basin of
Mexico had ended by 600 AD.
The city center was destroyed around AD 700.
A much reduced population continued to exist for
another two centuries in the city, a phase called
Coyotlatelco.
The collapse could have been brought on by
deforestation (to make plaster) or increased aridity.