In the world today there are a number of features both natural and man-made that plays a major role in the face of the world. This results from their aesthetic value and also architectural manipulation which outlines a high artistic nature. It is, therefore, due to this aspect that several regions have been regarded with a large importance to the history of the world as they also add an aesthetic value to their regions. Places where these structures are found have experienced increased numbers of tourists and even the local visitors who go to the regions to satisfy their spirit of adventure. In the cases of the man-made artistic design contributions are attributed to the efforts of renowned world architects who carefully took their time to design a quality piece of work that is attractive to the world up to date. In several places of the world these features have been distributed in an organized manner. This is to say that, in almost every continent in the world, there is a place that is unique to that particular region. This paper therefore seeks to explore about any relevant information regarding one such world features; Teotihuacan pre-Hispanic city. Interests are based on the understanding of this famous region and how it has developed to be a world’s epitome.
Teotihuacan was first built with no prior desire of making it a world monument just like any other historical sites. As explained by Hearn, (1996), is that the clear explanation as to who built this city is still a mysterious question. However, several theories have been coined in order to explain the origin of these structures. One of the theory according to Hearn is that there was a volcanic activity in the region that forced the immigrants to settle in the Teotihuacan valley, and it is therefore through the efforts of these refugees that the city was discovered.
It is through the efforts of the individuals that this region has acquired its status in becoming one of the great world wonders. The beauty of the structures is what has encouraged people from all over the world to have a desire to ever travelling there to the region. Although, the initial builders of the region had a more important function that they wanted to be achieved through their construction rather than becoming a tourist attraction site. According to the , is that the former function of Teotihuacan city was a place of religious activities. They go ahead to explain that it was a holy city in which ‘gods were created’. The city stands barely 50 kilometers northeast of Mexico City and was built during the period between 1st and the 7th centuries. This is, therefore, to say that the place can as be as old as the years suggests.
The major attraction arises due to its organized architectural designs depicting lots of fine arts. It has grown into becoming one of the famous regions baring a lot of testimony about the pre-urban structures of ancient Mexico. It is also an important art since it has relevance to other construction in different places of the world. After the completion of the region in the early 6th century a lot of people migrated and settled in the region. An estimate of about 2, 5000 inhabitants had settled in the region before the coming of Christianity. The high population led it to becoming one of the largest ancient cities in America. It has therefore contributed greatly in ensuring that the reputation of its host country, Mexico has remained relevant to the history of the world up to this day. Civilization of different kinds emerged from the region as the people had several practices .
The ancient’s city plan was carefully and well organized so as to integrate elements of the Teotihuacan valley, for example the San Juan River. It was with the aim of ensuring that the natural environment was blended and preserved in the artistic works of the city. The region has rich cultural information about the people who lived in this particular region. In its construction, Teotihuacan city included several residential quarters, meaning that, people could also live in this place. Its arts were developed along with the Mexican civilization. An indication of a close observation of the inhabitants of the city shows that they did the painting on the plastered wall of the city. Therefore, through the works of these dwellers the place had an attractive appearance that fused harmoniously with the natural environment and their way of life.
The design of the structures includes pyramids such as; the pyramid of the moon, the pyramid of the sun, where the sun sets, and also the Avenue of the dead. Each of these structures had their own meaning and this made it to be of importance in the region. For example, it is said that the pyramid of the sun is where the sun always set in the evening and one could make a wish while at the peak of the pyramid. The discovery of this pyramid was done by Leolpoldo Batres 1905-1910. The pyramid of the moon is said to have been built in stages. This pyramid has elevated platforms that were used for rituals and the people that were on the ground could see as the rituals were being performed. The tombs that had a connection with this pyramid structure had the evidence of human and animal sacrifice. The avenue of the dead is a very attractive site and is the city’s main street today. (Jarus, 2012)
Several research are still being carried out by archeologists so as to understand more about this mysterious place. This research is so important in the history of this region is not only important to the people in the region but also to the whole world. Through their efforts a lot will be explained about the region and this will help in bringing out a clear description of how these people lived. This ancient city is too significant to the welfare of the Mexican city.
As Aleman, (2012) puts it, this ancient city is referred to as the city of the gods. Much of the religious activity took place in this region where it has been discovered that much of the religious activity took place in this region. There, have been traces of sacrifices of animals evident from the graves in the areas as well as young men who have been found to have been buried when their hands were tied at the back. Suggestions have it that they were victims of sacrifice. An important explanation is also made by Jarus, (2012) where he notes that the word Teotihuacan was first used by the Aztecs when they came to this place, meaning the place where the ‘gods were created.’ It is significant to note that sacrifices in the region would have made to these gods. Also in the paintings made, some included those of birds, owls, jaguar, and feathered serpent.
There were innovations in the place, (Jarus, 2012), their discoveries of hieroglyphics in the region. It is a complex form of writing which indicates that they were keen on what they did in this complex ancient city. The writings found in Teotihuacan were pictorial and have been described as pictures that resemble real objects.There are also, trading activities that have been attributed to this place.
Teotihuacan has rich deposits of obsidian in nearby Pachuca. This raw material was used in manufacturing of vast quantities of spears and also dart heads for economic purpose. Also, other goods have been associated with this place such as; cotton, cocoa, to make chocolate, exotic feathers and shells. There are evidences of the earlier existence of textile manufacturing and crafts industries. The greatness of this place is that the artworks in all constructions outlay fine works. Teotihuacan influence is due to the spread of traditions and religion.
As noted in the introduction of this paper is that, there is much relation between the Teotihuacan ancient city and other regions of the world. A similar architectural designs have been found in some places such as Egypt. The pyramids in ancient Mexico have a similar architectural design with the pyramids in Egypt. Although, the ancient Mexican city dates back many years in the past while the Egyptian pyramids were built around 2589 and 2504 BC (Koch 2001). In both religious activities seems to be the controller of these regions. The Egyptian pyramids were built with the intentions of burying the Pharaohs. On the other hand Teotihuacan city was constructed with intentions of ensuring that there was a place where religious activities took place.
Another relationship between Teotihuacan ancient cities is similar to those in Maya sites of San Bartolo features of two amazing millennia year old pyramids temples (Ferguson, 2007). Therefore, there is a relationship between these places as the two regions have similar works of arts. Also, these regions have a great relevance as it is through the efforts of these places that civilization rose and spread to other places. Much significances have been associated with these regions and also that they have grown into becoming one of the world greatest attraction sites. Geographically the reputation of the areas where these sites are located have developed greatly. Although, there is a lot of information tagged with the presences of the Teotihuacan city it was once destroyed by fire and abandoned during the 7th century. It is only through the efforts of the host nations that their significance still remains to date. There has been undivided attention on renovating them so as to ensure they do not go into ruins.
In conclusion, the world have seen great improvements through the efforts of the renowned architects, their urban planning in relation to the city’s art. Major contributions have been realized, and this has improved the aesthetic value of this place. Through tourism, people have integrated together leading to spreading of civilization to other regions. Several nations have also attempted similar structures in the present.
References
Aleman, v. m. (2012). teotihuacan.
Cartwright, M. (2015, February 17). Teotihuacan. Retrieved april 20, 2016, from Ancient History Enclopedia.
Ferguson, K. (2007). The Relationship of The Maya and Teotihuacan. A Mesoamerica Mystery, 2- 4.
Hearn, K. (1996). Who Built the Great City of Teotihuacan. Retrieved april 20, 2016, from National Geographic.
Jarus, O. (2012, August 20). Theotihuacan: Ancient City of Pyramids. (k. c. shutterstock, Editor) Retrieved april 20, 2016, from Beta Live Science.
World Heritage Centre. (1992). Pre- Hispanic City of Teotihuacan. (united nations education, scientific and cultural organization) Retrieved april 20, 2016, from World Heritage Convention.
