ES - EN - FR - PT - IT

Anthropology Museum

Don't miss anything

Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl

The famous Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl or the Feathered Serpent. This pyramid is only a replica of the original one found in Teotihuacán. However, this one is painted, with a polychromy of colors that reminds us that the passage of time changed the original appearance of the pyramids. A full-sized replica. with its beautiful polychrome effect, makes it possible to see the impressive sequence of undulating serpents emerging from the wall like a feather flower carrying a large mask on its back. The serpent represents the god Quetzalcoatl, and the other god, who has circles over his eyes, is Tlaloc, the god of rain. It is observed that the serpents are floating in the water, given the snails and shells that are seen around.

Quetzalcoatl is one of the most important and ancient gods of Mesoamerican cultures. These snakes tell us that this god is a creative deity, since the sea snail, used as a trumpet, reproduces the divine sound, and the shell symbolizes the maternal vulva, the origin of all creatures.

This pyramid is the smallest one in Teotihuacan and was discovered in 1918, during excavations at the site. Here were discovered more than two hundred people who were sacrificed and under it, there were two tombs that were sacked during the pre-Hispanic era. Human sacrifice was of utmost importance in the cult of Teotihuacan.

Anthropology Museum