1. Ancient Civilizations of the Americas Lecture 10
The Basin of Mexico:
The Late Formative

3. Middle Preclassic: Zacatenco Phase: 900-600 BC
Olmec motifs are discontinued.
Population of the Basin of Mexico 20,000, with population concentrated in the southern half.
Cuicuilco had a population probably of 2000
Late Preclassic: Ticoman Phase: BC
Population grows to 90,000
Cuicuilco population grows to 5,000-10,000

4. Ticoman Phase
Patlachique Phase

5. Patlachique Phase: 150 BC – 1 AD
Cuicuilco: population 20,000
Several large platforms constructed, largest 20m high/80m dia.
Cuicuilco buried under two lava flows from Mt. Xitli in 50 BC.

6. Teotihuacan Tzacualli Phase AD 1-100
Located at the head of a number of springs.
Obsidian specialization underway.
Tzacualli Phase AD 1-100
Population of Teotihuacan goes from 15,000 to 80,000 as the entire Basin of Mexico is unified under its control.
The pyramid of the sun is constructed over a cave with four chambers. Mayan sources indicate it was possibly called “Flower Mountain.”
City is built on a cruciform plan, with the “Avenue of the Dead” running North-South.

7. Tunnel is completely artificial, has 18 sections, and may have once contained burials.

9. Pyramid and tunnels were built 140-240 AD

11. Teotihuacan water temple and canal – Tetitla compound mural
Teotihuacan water temple and canal – Tetitla compound mural. Jaguar may represent deity who would later be called Tezcatlipoca. San Juan river canalized in 2nd century AD.

12. Miccaotli Phase (100-200 AD): Ciudadela is built. It covers 16 ha
Miccaotli Phase ( AD): Ciudadela is built. It covers 16 ha. and is nearly as massive as the Pyramid of the Sun.
“Temple of Quetzalcoatl”
AKA “Feathered Serpent Temple” possibly dedicated to the “Great Goddess,”
or it covers the burial of an emperor, since removed.
Built c. 200 AD.