A Quick Guide to Mexican Aztec Pyramids’ History

We guide you through the origins and remainings of the majestic Mexican Aztec Pyramids, their architecture, and Aztec ruins mysteries. 
Cultural InsightsEducationalExplorerHow-To GuidesIn-depth Cultural
28 January, 2022

Home > Latin America > Mexico > A Quick Guide to Mexican Aztec Pyramids’ History

Table of contents:

The Aztec Civilization

The Aztecs were people from northern Mexico who settled on Texcoco Lake in the Valley of Mexico around 1325. They were known as the Mexica, and they founded their capital, “Mexico-Tenochtitlan,” 400 years after the Mayan splendor. Outside the social scale were the slaves, who were mostly prisoners of war. They sacrificed people, often prisoners captured in war. 

aztec dance (aztec dancing)
Aztec Ritual

The Mexican Aztec Pyramids

These Aztec pyramids are built in steps, something that the Egyptians did not do. Therefore, the Aztec ones are more similar to the Mesopotamian ones. As we know, the Aztecs were polytheists. They worshiped many gods, each with a specific function.

Certainly, the Aztecs built some of the most magnificent pyramids from the 14th to the 16th century. These pyramids were religiously motivated, and on top of them, they created their temples. To clarify, the temples were built to facilitate the Aztec religion. Building pyramid temples was an architectural duty for the Aztecs due to their religious importance.

teotihuacan pyramids tours
Panoramic view of Teotihuacan, Mexico

Nowadays, some Aztec ruins are still untouched, which is one of the most incredible things about their temples. These pyramids had not only religious meanings but also government reasons. Aztec society had several class categories: first the king, then the priests, warriors, and nobles; below the merchants, and finally the workers.

Outside the social scale were the slaves, who were mostly prisoners of war. They sacrificed people, often prisoners captured in war, at the top of the pyramids. This ritual has become one of the most famous parts of Aztec history.

museums in mexico city anthropology museum
Aztec sunstone in the Mexican National Museum of Anthropology

Who Built the Pyramids in Mexico?

Mexico has archaeological zones as impressive as those in Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, and Italy. Nevertheless, Mexican pyramids and their surroundings convey a mystical atmosphere that you have to experience at least once in a lifetime. Most of the pyramids in Mexico were built by ancient Mesoamerican civilizations such as the Toltecs, the Tarascan, the Maya, the Aztecs, and the Totonac.

🔎 Check out our post and tour:

el tajin veracruz
Archaeological zone of El Tajin in Veracruz, Mexico.

In the case of the most famous pyramids in Teotihuacan, such as the Pyramid of the Sun and Moon, a civilization that lived in Teotihuacan in 1-150 AD constructed them (according to some historians). Certainly, it is still unknown who built them, but currently, the Aztecs have the title of ‘creators’ of these masterpieces. Mexico is a place of legends and mysteries that make every part of its history full of mysticism and tradition. Without further ado, let’s go to some of the most important Mexican Aztec Pyramids you should know!

El Tepozteco

El Tepozteco is a National Protected Area where you can find the remains of an authentic Mexican Aztec Pyramid. Sadly, due to different earthquakes that occurred in September 2017, it had extreme damage that forced it to close its doors. The Tepozteco Pyramid shows spellings linked to many firmaments in pre-Hispanic cultures. In one of its stones, you will see engraved the name of Ahuizotl, the Aztec emperor who reigned between 1486 and 1502.

The number of steps was related to its cosmogony. The 13 heavens of the Mesoamerican universe and the 13 days of the Tonalpohualli Calendar.  Nowadays, the surroundings of this place have become excellent places to discover Mexican culture in the magical town of Tepoztlan, meditate, practice yoga, and perform ceremonies. Additionally, some people say that they feel different energies at the top of the Pyramid of Tepozteco. 

⛰️ Want to explore the Tepozteco with us? Join our tours:

aztec pyramids
At the end of the Tepozteco mountain, lies an aztec pyramid

Xochicalco Pyramids

Xochicalco is an archaeological site in the state of Morelos where you can find Mexican Aztec pyramids. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. Its name comes from Nahuatl and means Place of the House of Flowers. It is located just 38 km southwest of the tropical city of Cuernavaca. Above all, it was the most important population, and perhaps the most powerful, in the Central Highlands. 

Xochicalco is most famous for the Pyramid of the Feathered Serpents. However, this emblematic construction, with its fine stylized representations, clearly reflects Teotihuacan and Mayan influence. Therefore, it is believed that Xochicalco must have had a community of artists from other parts of Mesoamerica. 

The Feathered Serpent was an elite divinity as its representations and sanctuaries were located in the upper part of the city. Furthermore, it is worth visiting the Temple of the Stelae. Here, archaeologists discovered tombstones related to Quetzalcoatl.

☀️ Visit Xochicalco and other Cuernavaca wonders on our tours:

Cuicuilco

This site houses a circular pyramid partially buried due to a volcanic eruption. As in the case of Teotihuacan, its origins date back to 800 BC. Among the main Mexican Aztec Pyramids are the ruins of the Pyramid of Cuicuilco, located in the center of the hill. It has 5 levels and is 59,6 ft high. Also, religious ceremonies were held in the pyramid.

Even many locals do not know much about this place. Nevertheless, it is one of the most emblematic places to begin to understand what were the wonderful Aztec culture and its enormous legacy that continues in different parts of Mexico City.

Teotihuacan

Although some people believe the Aztecs built Teotihuacan, it was an older civilization that built it. Aztecs found what we know today as the Teotihuacan Pyramids and decided to stay there. 

Indeed, here you can find the most popular “Mexican Aztec Pyramids,” one of Mexico’s largest archaeological complexes. It is estimated that it arose before 500 BC. But it was the Aztecs who reached their maximum splendor and founded Tenochtitlan.

The pyramid of the Sun represents the Axis-Mundi, the point where heaven and earth connect. It has 20 floors and a total height of 213 meters. On the other hand, The Pyramid of the Moon was the house of the god of storms. 

The Pyramid of the Moon is about 45 meters on each side and 45 meters high. Although it is smaller than the sun pyramid, it is on high ground; therefore, the result is the same height. 

🌒 Discover the ancient secrets of Teotihuacan by joining our tours:

teotihuacan sun pyramid
Small-Group Teotihuacan Pyramids Tour

Mexican Aztec Pyramids Architecture

Talking about their architecture is talking about the Mexican Aztec Pyramids, a fundamental part of their heritage and legacy. Uniquely, the development of Aztec architecture was based on the interests of the State, fulfilling a political-religious function. One of the characteristics of Aztec architecture is its marked sense of order and symmetry, similar to other cultures. Aztec ruins were an art expression for ancient Mexican ancestors.

The best way to describe Aztec architecture is as monumental. Its purpose was to manifest power while adhering to strong religious beliefs. This is evident in the design of its temples, shrines, palaces, and houses.

Strong infrastructure and resources were an important part of the Aztecs. All of this was to build large buildings that met the needs of their inhabitants. One of the greatest architectural examples is Tenochtitlan, what we know today as Mexico City. Tenochtitlan was a synonym for Aztec power and was home to some of their main temples. As the Aztecs didn’t build all of these archeological zones, they certainly had a huge influence on them.

tlatelolco
Mexico City Archeological Site

🗺️ Learn more about Tenochtitlan and visit ancient wonders by joining our tours:

Informative video

More context about Mexican Aztec Pyramids

Discover more

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *