Mexico City - Day 5 - Teotihuacan

This ancient city (pre-Hispanic and even pre-Aztec) sits about 30km northeast of Mexico City.  The bus ride from Mexico City takes about an hour.  Organized around two major axes, the North-South  Avenue of the Dead, and the East-West Rio San Juan (which was diverted to cross the city at this point).  The major temples (Pyramids of the Sun and Moon) are on a flat portion of the North-South axis with the Pyramid of the Moon anchoring the North end.  After moving past the temple complexes, the Avenue of the Dead slopes down gradually in series of terraces to where it meets the Rio San Juan.  The opposite side of Rio San Juan houses the ruined temple of the feathered serpent as well as many of the residential areas of the city.

We arrived in light rain shortly after the park opened.  With the weather and the early hour we had the place to ourselves for a while.  After climbing the steps of the enormous Pyramid of the Sun, the city's major temple, we took some time to explore some of details.

The Pyramid of the Sun as seen from the Avenue of the Dead (the city's main North South axis).  Dave is in the lower left hand corner of the image for scale.

Masonry work at the corner of the lowest platform of the Sun Pyramid with the Pyramid of the Moon and the Avenue of the Dead in the background.  Most likely a restoration work, the angled masonry pieces move water quickly off of the platform as it comes down the side of the pyramid. 

The Avenue of the Dead also contained a sophisticated drainage system.  The massive amounts of stone and other impervious surfaces undoubtedly created a lot of runoff.  While rain was light while we were visiting, sustained afternoon thunderstorms have been rolling through the Valley of Mexico creating an intense deluge.  

The terraces act to collect and slow the movement of water as it runs off buildings and patios toward the Rio San Juan and prevent runoff from washing out everything in its path.  The main walkways of the Avenue are raised above this level allowing for continuous use.  Drain tunnels connect the terraces and allow water to eventually move out.  

The terrace dividers also bring in buried pipes adding runoff from buildings to the side of the Avenue.

The system at work during the morning's light rain.