Teotihuacán

The Teotihuacáns were an early Mesoamerican cosmopolitan city in the northern Valley of Mexico, beginning around 150 BCE at the same time the Mayans flourished. By 550 CE it had become one of the six largest urban civilizations throughout the Americas. Teotihuacán might be seen as something like the Roman Empire; a vast city with streets, murals, temples, plazas, waterways and drainage systems. They had homes for the elite, and apartment compounds for middle class workers and farmers, with a small area for foreigners. This civilization also retained a high polytheistic background, spoken more through art than writing which was scarce; their government could either have been a monarchy or oligarchy. From 300-600 CE, Teotihuacán gained a major military influence, and continued to expand, whether peacefully or forcefully cannot be determined. They retained a major trading route, paved the way for the Aztecs. Because the city didn't fall until the Spanish conquest, it's believed that a rebellion within the civilization and displaced the central power. Known as "the city of the gods." : http://universes-in-universe.org/eng/art_destinations/mexico/tour/teotihuacan

Statue of the goddess Chalchiuhlicue: This civilization had a very prominent religious background like most Mesoamerican societies growing up around this period. They were believed to have not only retained many gods, but goddesses as well. Human sacrifice was not uncommon, and their rituals were based off the astronomy and the movement of the stars and planets. This statue was in the Pyramid of the Moon of the two main pyramids in Teotihuacan (Sun and Moon), said to have been built the century before their decline. Each individual pyramid was worship to a specific deity; Chalchiuhlicue was the goddess of lakes and streams, and thousands of sacrifices were made to her.
Source: http://www.aztec-history.com/teotihuacan.html
 http://www.aztec-history.com/aztec-temples.html

 Incense Burner Lid: This is just one of many incense intricate incense burners created. All depict some sort of human face, beautiful detailed with symbols, and headdresses. They were used in religious ceremonies, most likely in the pyramids and temples for their gods and goddesses; though sacrifice (mostly male) was performed, sometimes tropical tree sap, or resin was burned within these incense burners as a substitute, as the smoke seeping out of the top, the eyes and the mouth of the burner was made to mimic cremation.
Source: http://prv.mfah.org/twa/main.asp?target=images2&iid=205&cp=6

"Paradise of Tealoc" Mural: This is one of many interesting pieces of art that greatly impacted Teotihuacan life. Because they have very little writing to speak of, it's believed this might be the only evidence of how their city was governed. In the image there are several every-day people, playing games, going about their daily lives, and it's believed that each color represents a different caste in the hierarchy. There are priest-warriors, sacrificial victims. The mountain seen flows not only with water, but people regardless of their class, their blood ironically feeding into the mountain. Murals like this are believed to have been used to emphasis world-order and represent their common rituals. Strangely, there is no evidence of a main ruler in any portrayal sacrificing instead of every-day people (though an elite burial has been discovered that might help us understand this).
Source: http://uncoveredhistory.com/mexico/teotihuacan/tepantitla/

Underground Drain: Uncovered, there were many drains discovered throughout Teotihuacan, evidence that these people had an intricate water system going on through their city. One system was excavated underneath the Temple of the Plumed Serpent, ranging over 340 feet. It seems also, that they were often blocked (especially the Ciudadela plaza) with the mutilated remains of over fifty sacrificed victims.
Source:http://phys.org/news/2011-05-tunnel-temple-mexico.html

Obsidian Blades: Obsidian was a very common medium used to create tools for the Teotihuacans. There are several types of tools created: blades, scrapers, knives, bone needles, and they were used most often for trade. With its ever-growing population, the Teotihuacans depended on the supply of obsidian.
Source: http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/aztecs/teotihuacan-obsidian.pdf

Seashell found in Sacred Burial Chamber: Within a discovered burial chamber (explained below), among other offerings, there was a wooden box of of seashells with carvings on them. Though it is unknown where they specifically came from, this emphasizes the influence trade had on the Teotihuacan society.
Source: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/new-artifact-filled-chambers-revealed-under-teotihuacan/

Terracotta Human Sculpture: It is believed that these figurines were often used in burials, sometimes depicting a deity, or every-day workers.Though there is little information on these terracotta figurines, we can assume that the opening in their stomach was a place where ritual offerings were put. On the inside, we can see the internals organs intricately carved, providing a possibility that Teotihuacan was very skilled in the human anatomy.
Source: http://www.richard-seaman.com/Travel/Mexico/Teotihuacan/

                        
Sacred Burial Tunnel: This tunnel was discovered during a heavy rainstorm in 2003, uncovering a shaft underneath the Temple of the Plumed Serpent that is believed to have astronomical purposes. It had been noticeably sealed off over 1800 years ago, and c finally could give us some information on the hierarchy set-up of the Teotihuacans, since we have yet to discover any elitist burial. Within the tunnel, there are many artifacts, such as jewellery, crystal spheres, animal bones, human figurines made of pottery, and fragments of skin. Farther back, there were three walled off tunnels, believed to contain the burials of three rulers. This is important, as it not only shows the influence of trade in this society, but also the sacred ritual of burial.

Incense Tripod Vessel: As much as several variations of these tripod vessels popped up, there was very little on them. All that is known, is that these tripod vessels were most likely used as another object to burn incense, (whether in the home or a temple is unknown), since this was a major religious aspect in this society. Because the vessel is made of clay or pottery is actually quite significant; clay is from the earth, and the Teotihuacans focused on the four elements, earth, wind, fire, and water, when providing toward their gods.

Source: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/new-artifact-filled-chambers-revealed-under-teotihuacan/
http://www.iai.spk-berlin.de/fileadmin/dokumentenbibliothek/Indiana/Indiana_4/IND_04_Winning.pdf

Olmec Jade Mask: This was a mask used as an offering, discovered in a burial beneath one of the pyramids before it was constructed. The medium use of jade has led it back to the Olmec civilization, hinting at a cultural connection between the two societies. The color green was considered important because it represented life energy.
Source: http://www.ancient-wisdom.com/mexicoteotihuacan.htm

If you're as curious about their gods and goddesses as I am, here's a link to check out: http://www.aztec-history.com/aztec-sun-god.html