Teotihuacan: The Rise and Fall of Mesoamerica's Greatest City

🌇Teotihuacan was the largest city in the Americas during the 1st century CE, with a population of approximately 100,000 people.

🏺The city's residents were highly skilled in various crafts, including pottery, obsidian tool-making, and stone masonry.

🕌Religion played a significant role in Teotihuacan's society, with shrines found in every household and fire as a central element of worship.

🏛️Teotihuacan's urban layout, characterized by an orthogonal grid, was unique in Mesoamerica and reflected advanced city planning.

📉The decline of Teotihuacan remains a mystery, with theories ranging from social unrest to environmental factors.

How big was Teotihuacan compared to other cities at the time?

—Teotihuacan was one of the largest cities in the world during its height in the 1st century CE. Only a few cities surpassed its population at that time.

What were some of the crafts produced by the residents of Teotihuacan?

—The residents of Teotihuacan were skilled in pottery-making, obsidian tool-making, stone masonry, and various other crafts.

What role did religion play in Teotihuacan?

—Religion was an integral part of daily life in Teotihuacan. Shrines were present in every household, and fire was a central element of worship.

What was unique about Teotihuacan's urban layout?

—Teotihuacan's layout featured an orthogonal grid, which was uncommon in Mesoamerica at that time. This layout reflected advanced city planning.

Why did Teotihuacan decline?

—The exact reasons for Teotihuacan's decline are still unknown. Various theories suggest social unrest, environmental factors, or external invasions as possible causes.

00:00Teotihuacan, the largest pre-industrial city in the Americas, flourished in the 1st century CE.

03:30Teotihuacan's residents specialized in various crafts, producing high-quality goods like ceramics and obsidian tools.

06:00Religion played a significant role in daily life, with shrines found in every household.

08:56Teotihuacan's urban layout, characterized by an orthogonal grid, was unique in Mesoamerica.

09:46The decline of Teotihuacan remains a mystery, with theories ranging from social unrest to environmental factors.