Teotihuacán, MEXICO – Every historical site and landmark our team came across in Mexico was stunning in its own unique way, and the pyramids of Teotihuacán were no exception.
Upon entrance, past the vendors selling Mexican souvenirs, we were met with the Quetzalpapálotl complex that spanned across the land as far as the eye could see. The ruins were situated lower than the pathway we came from, so we made our way down into the depths of the UNESCO World Heritage site.
It was disappointing to hear that most of the walls were reconstructed, with the small stones embedded into the walls as evidence of this restoration process. But the colorful murals and pre-Hispanic narratives made up for the initial dissatisfaction.
One major takeaway from the guided tour was that all aspects of the site, from the clever drainage system to the excellent preservation of the murals, was living proof that past civilization thought meticulously about their values and mastered their lifestyle accordingly.
This realization came once again while examining the unnecessarily steep steps leading down to the Avenue of the Dead, which our guide said was intentionally done so that people climbing them would naturally mimic the movement of a snake because they had to move sideways to safely make their way down.
As soon as we made it past the Courtyard of Quetzalpapálotl Palace, we were able to see the two pyramids in the distance, which were the Pyramid of the Sun located straight ahead from the exit of the palace and the Pyramid of the Moon, further along the Avenue of the Dead.
The pyramids were so big that it felt as if they were much further away in the distance.
As soon as we got closer, we were able to comprehend how monumental the structures were.
It was amazing that people of the past could be so intricate with the details in the murals and also be bold and enlarge the scale to build such grandiose structures.
We were also lucky to watch a demonstration of how the murals were painted using natural substances.
A woman selling souvenirs pulled out an envelope and began rubbing various natural substances such as insect eggs into the paper, resulting in bright colors ranging from red to indigo.
Our tour guide explained to us that certain colors of the mural were well preserved because the natural paints were resistant to sunlight and other external factors that could cause erosion.
The pyramids of Teotihuacán were an eye-opening experience. Not only was the site well maintained, the deep cultural context encompassing every detail was mesmerizing to examine.
With enough background information to supplement understanding of these treasures, I am confident many visitors will find the experience both educational and enjoyable.
Damian Nam is a Reporter with Youth Journalism International from Seoul, South Korea. He wrote this article and contributed photos.
Anjola Fashawe is a Correspondent with Youth Journalism International from London. She contributed a photo to this piece.
Holly Hostettler-Davies is an Associate Editor with Youth Journalism International from Wales, UK. She contributed a photo to this piece.
