Teotihuacán Archaeological Site

San Juan Teotihuacán, Mexico
100 B.C.--A.D. 750
At the height of the classical period in Mesoamerica, Teotihuacán was a cultural, religious, political, economic, and social center, eventually becoming one of the world's largest cities. The site flourished until about A.D. 750 when it was abandoned and set afire. Its pyramids, citadel, temples, palaces, plazas, and paved streets became buried. When Aztecs arrived at the site in the fourteenth century, the city's legacy was celebrated. They renamed the ruins "Teotihuacán," or "a place where the gods are born." The first archaeological excavations were performed in the early twentieth century, at which time some of the many mural paintings were uncovered. Even though Teotihuacán is the most visited archaeological site in Mexico and a national symbol, government support has been inadequate. The physical fabric is at great risk, as well as the aesthetic integrity--in part from new commercial construction. A recent American Express grant may establish a model conservation methodology and help leverage further government support. Yet, permanent conservation and tourist management programs are needed. The Pre-Hispanic city of Teotihuacán is on the World Heritage List.

Listed in 1998