We invite you to know in the following article what are the Pyramids of ancient Mexico most important and representative in history and how many of these places have become cultural and tourist spaces. Learn about its history, origin and meaning below.
Pyramids of ancient Mexico
Speaking of the history of Mexico is without a doubt referring to its ancient constructions, which have marked a before and after in the way of observing culture in that country. In our article today we will be briefly learning about the Pyramids of ancient Mexico and part of their history.
It is no secret to anyone that the pyramids of Mexico are described as a type of construction that automatically transports us to pre-Hispanic times, when many of the indigenous communities of the time began to test their skills in terms of architecture, creating this type of historical buildings.
Many ethnic groups increased their architectural knowledge to the point that they were able to develop all kinds of constructions, including pyramids, temples and some cities that even today continue to attract everyone's attention. Get ready to discover the exciting world that surrounds the pyramids of ancient Mexico.
Before beginning, it is important to note that the pyramids of Mexico became highly representative buildings for many indigenous communities in that country, especially for the Mayans and the Mexica ethnic group. There are many renowned constructions, for example the Templo Mayor, Calakmul and of course Teotihuacán.
Main temple
We are going to start our tour of the Pyramids of ancient Mexico in the Templo Mayor, considered by many to be one of the buildings with the greatest history in the country. According to the calculations that are available, this temple was found for the first time in the XNUMXth century and since then it has become a sacred place for the communities that had the tradition of evangelizing.
Let us remember that during that colonial era, the people in charge of evangelizing used to have the tradition of building churches on the same pre-Hispanic temples – hiding them. In fact, they came to use the stones of these temples to create their own churches.
On other occasions they were in charge of completely destroying the indigenous temples to build their churches from scratch. It is important to mention that the evangelizers considered the indigenous temples heretical and that was one of the reasons that led them to completely destroy this type of building. It was a symbolic practice in which the Catholic religion prevailed over local beliefs.
For this reason, it is believed that the discovery of what is known as the Templo Mayor is not as old as in other cases. According to some studies carried out, it has been revealed that this temple was built on top of the place indicated by Huitzilopochtli so that the Mexicas founded Aztlán.
At first, the construction of the place was carried out only with mud and wood, however over the years the building was adapted to new changes because the rulers of Tenoctitlán had the habit of making their contributions to make possible the remodeling of the place, until it became an architectural jewel in the history of Mexico.
It is also very timely to mention that Huitzilopochtli is considered the first god to receive worship or worship in the Great Temple. With the passage of time and in order to prevent alterations in the balance of the universe, the Mexicas began to worship other deities, including Tlaloc.
For this reason, the pyramid originally dedicated to the god Huitzilopochtli became double, since the highest Mexica deities lived there, such as Tlaloc and Huitzilopochtli.
Teotihuacán
The Teotihuacán Archaeological Zone is located in the State of Mexico, a place where you can find two of the most popular and famous pyramids of ancient Mexico of all time, such as the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon. Both pyramids are widely visited and have a long and interesting history that is worth learning about.
As initial data we can mention that the Archaeological Zone of Teotihuacán is characterized by its impressive extension and complexity. Certainly until now it has not been possible to establish for sure how much this historic structure arose, but many archaeologists and anthropologists have dedicated themselves to trying to reveal all the secrets that are hidden behind this place called Teotihuacán.
Many of these scholars have agreed on some key data, for example the date of foundation of the city. Most assure that faith in the year 500 before Christ when the city was founded. They also maintain that the city was abandoned by its inhabitants around the XNUMXth century, although no one has been able to find the reasons or motives that led these inhabitants to leave the city.
The truth is that Teotihuacán lasted a long time, converted into a city without a town, without inhabitants, where only loneliness and more loneliness could be breathed. It remained that way at least until the arrival of the Mexica, considered the first indigenous community in charge of bringing the city back to life. The Mexicas were shocked by the majesty of the constructions and gave it the name Teotihuacán.
Do you know what Teotihuacan means? According to history, this term means "The City of the Gods", however recently new versions have emerged about the real meaning of that word. Some experts from the National Institute of Anthropology and History point out that the city is not actually called Teotihuacán but Teo Huacan, so its true meaning would then be "City of the Sun".
Beyond these controversies and confusions, what cannot be doubted is that the Archaeological Zone of Teotihuacán is one of the most visited and important in Mexico. This area is made up of impressive pyramids and other architectural ensembles deployed around a causeway (La Calzada de los Muertos) that has an approximate dimension of four kilometers.
Chichen Itza, Temple of Kukulkan
We continue to know the most important pyramids of ancient Mexico. This time it is the turn of the Temple of Kukulkan, considered one of the most historic places in the Aztec country. This emblematic pyramid is located in the Archaeological Zone of Chichen Itza, in the Yucatan Peninsula.
Above mentioned that the Archaeological Zone of Teotihuacán was the most crowded and visited in Mexico, however Chichén Itzá is not far behind. According to calculations, it is believed that this area is also among the most visited in the country and one of the most emblematic and important, which is why it hides an interesting history.
The city was founded, according to many researchers, between 325 and 550 AD. Those in charge of founding the city of Chichen Itza were the Mayans, who settled in the place for some time. Years later, specifically in the year 800, the Toltecs arrived in the territory, who were in charge of invading the region.
That invasion caused a mixture of culture between the Mayans and the Toltecs, a fusion that led to the adoption of new traditions and cults. The inhabitants began to worship Quetzalcóatl although under the name of Kukulkan. It was for this reason that the indigenous communities of the region proceeded to build the temple or pyramid of Kukulkan, in honor of that god.
It is worth remembering that in the year 2077, Chichen Itza was considered one of the seven New Wonders of the World due to its impressive architecture and the history that this emblematic place of Mexican culture keeps.
Palenque
There are many historic cities in Mexico but one of the most important is undoubtedly the city of Palenque, which is located in the northwest of the state of Chiapas. It is an attractive Mayan city that can be discovered in the middle of a tropical jungle, surrounded by impressive natural landscapes, waterfalls and rivers.
According to leading researchers and scholars, the city of Palenque was founded in the year 100 BC. It was inhabited for a long time, approximately for a thousand years, however in an unexpected and still mysterious way, the city was left alone by its inhabitants, who escaped from it between the years 600 and 800 after Christ.
The reasons that led the inhabitants of the city of Palenque to leave the territory have not yet been revealed. The only thing that is known is that the city was left in complete solitude. The city was made up of vestiges such as: the tomb of the Red Queen, the Palace, and of course, the pyramid or the Temple of the inscriptions, inside which the remains of King Pakal are kept.
Calakmul
Before talking about its history, it is opportune to pause briefly on the meaning of this word. According to many experts, the term "Calakmul" can be interpreted as "two neighboring pyramids" or "The city of adjacent mounds". The truth is that this is another of those captivating and historical places that the Mayan culture gives us.
Calakmul is located in Campeche and its history is really interesting. Thanks to many finds, it can be determined that this territory was populated for the first time 200 years after Christ, the date on which its first inhabitants arrived.
According to data provided by the National Institute for Federalism and Municipal Development, the city was populated by more than 50 people during the years 322 BC. C. and 925 d. C. Just as it happened with the Templo Mayor, Calakmul was also discovered in the XNUMXth century.
This happened because during the Colony, the newcomers did not find precious metals in the territory, without taking into account that in order to enter this area, a lot of risk had to be taken, since access was really difficult, especially due to the thickness of the Jungle.
For this reason, the city of Calakmul remained practically submerged in oblivion and hidden for more than 600 years, until it was rediscovered in the 30s. It is currently considered one of the most important and emblematic pyramids of ancient Mexico in history, with much information to offer both to its own and to visitors.
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