Teotihuacan
P.S. If anyone can possibly advise where Elspeth (left) can get a replacement for the Evil Knievel style T-shirt she is wearing here do please get in touch, as hers mysteriously went missing the day after this shot was taken.
Teotihuacan is one of the most famous and important sites of ancient Mexico, best known for it's enormous Avenue of the Dead and the great pyramids of the Sun and Moon.
Although the site was known in Aztec times as the 'Birthplace of the Gods' it is actually significantly older, with most of the major structures built between 100-250AD and the city, one of the largest ever ancient settlements in the Americas, was believed to have been still inhabited up to the 8th century.
Today the vast scale of the complex, particularly the so called Avenue of the Dead, nearly 3km long and flanked by ancient ruins and terraces, continues to awe visitors. At the north end of the Avenue sits the Pyramid of the Moon, whilst it's much larger counterpart, the Pyramid of the Sun, sits halfway up it's eastern side. At the southern end sits the Ciudadela complex which centres on the smaller pyramid of Quetzelcoatl, earlier and more ruined than the larger pyramids but retaining it's stunning original sculptural decoration on part of it's western face, featuring the iconic feathered serpent heads.
Aside from the great ceremonial structures there are also residential buildings, particularly the palatial complex at the north west corner that retains some vivid fragments of it's original mural decoration.
Teotihuacan
P.S. If anyone can possibly advise where Elspeth (left) can get a replacement for the Evil Knievel style T-shirt she is wearing here do please get in touch, as hers mysteriously went missing the day after this shot was taken.
Teotihuacan is one of the most famous and important sites of ancient Mexico, best known for it's enormous Avenue of the Dead and the great pyramids of the Sun and Moon.
Although the site was known in Aztec times as the 'Birthplace of the Gods' it is actually significantly older, with most of the major structures built between 100-250AD and the city, one of the largest ever ancient settlements in the Americas, was believed to have been still inhabited up to the 8th century.
Today the vast scale of the complex, particularly the so called Avenue of the Dead, nearly 3km long and flanked by ancient ruins and terraces, continues to awe visitors. At the north end of the Avenue sits the Pyramid of the Moon, whilst it's much larger counterpart, the Pyramid of the Sun, sits halfway up it's eastern side. At the southern end sits the Ciudadela complex which centres on the smaller pyramid of Quetzelcoatl, earlier and more ruined than the larger pyramids but retaining it's stunning original sculptural decoration on part of it's western face, featuring the iconic feathered serpent heads.
Aside from the great ceremonial structures there are also residential buildings, particularly the palatial complex at the north west corner that retains some vivid fragments of it's original mural decoration.