Teotihuacan

Teotihuacan is about 50 kilometres northeast of Mexico City. It is easily reached by a regular bus service from the northern bus terminal. This ancient city was founded about 2000 years ago. At its peak it is believed to have accommodated 125,000 people and to have controlled a large proportion of the territory that is now Mexico as well as a considerable area now belonging to neighbouring countries. Here are some of the photos taken during our visit.

One of the first things that we saw when we got out of the bus was a big patch of what we know as prickly pear in Australia.

This grass tree also looked familiar but, despite its similarity in appearance, it is apparently a different species to those found in Australia.

As we walked away from the entrance area the skyline was dominated by two large pyramids.

The Avenue of the Dead was the main street of the central area of the city.  At the north end is the Pyramid of the Moon.

To the east is the Pyramid of the Sun. This is the third largest pyramid in the world after the Great Pyramid of Cholula and the Great Pyramid of Giza.

The stairs are very steep and each step is quite high making the climb to the top of the Pyramid of the Sun quite exhausting for all but the very fit.

A carved head of an Aztec god, Quetzalcóatl, the feathered serpent, minus its feathers, protrudes from the side of the Pyramid of the Sun next to the temple of Quetzalcóatl.

The Temple of Quetzalcóatl forms one section of the pyramid.

The terraced structure of the pyramid provides convenient resting and view points.

On the second terrace Sakorn poses with the Pyramid of the Moon in the background.

The Pyramid of the Moon from the third terrace

Sakorn stands triumphantly on top of the Pyramid of the Sun.

Here I am at the top with the Pyramid of the Moon in the background.

Looking from the top of the Pyramid of the Sun, as well as the remains of various structures, you can also see the mobile medical centre there to deal with any medical emergency that may arise as people subject themselves to the stress of climbing the pyramid.

The nearby museum has a fine collection of artifacts found during excavations both locally and in other parts of Mexico.

As well as ceramics the people of the city made arrow and spear heads, knives and decorative items from obsidian; a black volcanic glass.

A ceramic couple demonstrates the skill and artistry of the people.

It's time to sit and think.

Near the museum is a small botanical garden displaying a wide range of cacti.

This is a mural depicting a jaguar.

The view looking north along the Avenue of the Dead towards the Pyramid of the Moon

Sakorn stands in front of the pyramid.

Another climb begins.

Looking from the first terrace back towards the Pyramid ofthe Sun

From the top of the stairs you see this view of the Avenue of the Dead. Each of the stone platforms would have served as the base for a long decayed wooden building.

Here I am in front of the reconstructed palace of Quetzal-papalotl, the last ruler of Teotihuacan.

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