Archaeology of Teotihuacan, Mexico
The Feathered Serpent Pyramid: General
The Feathered Serpent Pyramid was the
third largest pyramid in Teotihuacan. Although significantly smaller in size than
both the Sun Pyramid and Moon
Pyramid, it was one of the most elaborate monuments in the city. Manuel
Gamio's excavations carried out between 1917 and 1922 (Gamio 1922 (1979)) revealed
that the principal facade had been covered with carved blocks, including impressive
three dimensional sculptures. The excavations by the Proyecto Arqueológico
Teotihuacán 1980-82 of the Instituto National de Antropología e
Historia confirmed that the facades on all four sides of the pyramid had been
decorated with carved stones depicting the motifs discovered earlier by Gamio.
These discoveries indicated that the construction of the monument - quarrying,
transporting, arranging, and carving heavy stone blocks - represented a remarkably
high energy expenditure of the state.
The Feathered Serpent Pyramid was
the principal pyramid at the Ciudadela,
one of the largest enclosed precincts in Mesoamerica. Ceramic analyses indicate
that both were constructed sometime during the Miccaotli to Early Tlamimilolpa
phases (A.D.150-300). However, precise chronological relationships between the
pyramid and the Ciudadela remain unknown because of the lack of direct stratigraphic
and architectural data. Recent research simply suggests that most of the platform
that encloses the Ciudadela may have been built somewhat earlier than the Feathered
Serpent Pyramid.
The Feathered Serpent Pyramid complex consists of the pyramid (stepped
platform), it's surmounting temple, and the Adosada platform which was later
built onto the main facade of the pyramid. All four sides of the pyramid
had been covered by an elaborate facade of stone carvings which including
a series of large sculptural heads. The facades that originally existed
on the lateral and rear faces have been almost completely destroyed. Fortunately,
the principal (western) facade of the pyramid was covered by the Adosada
platform in ancient times, which was therefore uncovered in an excellent
condition of preservation. Thanks to these conditions, we know that the
Feathered Serpent Pyramid, measuring 65 m on a side (about 4225 m2
at the base), depicted important mythico-religious entities - Feathered
Serpents and a form of sacred headdress.
Last Update: 8/20/2001
Saburo Sugiyama: Arizona State University, Dept. of Anthropology, Tempe,
AZ 85287
©Copyright 1996 Project Temple of Quetzalcoatl, Instituto Nacional
de Antropología e Historia, Mexico/ ASU
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The Feathered Serpent Pyramid was
the principal pyramid at the Ciudadela,
one of the largest enclosed precincts in Mesoamerica. Ceramic analyses indicate
that both were constructed sometime during the Miccaotli to Early Tlamimilolpa
phases (A.D.150-300). However, precise chronological relationships between the
pyramid and the Ciudadela remain unknown because of the lack of direct stratigraphic
and architectural data. Recent research simply suggests that most of the platform
that encloses the Ciudadela may have been built somewhat earlier than the Feathered
Serpent Pyramid.
The Feathered Serpent Pyramid complex consists of the pyramid (stepped
platform), it's surmounting temple, and the Adosada platform which was later
built onto the main facade of the pyramid. All four sides of the pyramid
had been covered by an elaborate facade of stone carvings which including
a series of large sculptural heads. The facades that originally existed
on the lateral and rear faces have been almost completely destroyed. Fortunately,
the principal (western) facade of the pyramid was covered by the Adosada
platform in ancient times, which was therefore uncovered in an excellent
condition of preservation. Thanks to these conditions, we know that the
Feathered Serpent Pyramid, measuring 65 m on a side (about 4225 m2
at the base), depicted important mythico-religious entities - Feathered
Serpents and a form of sacred headdress.