In 2002, I had the incredible opportunity to visit Teotihuacan, one of the most awe-inspiring ancient sites in Mexico. I remember standing at the foot of the massive Pyramid of the Sun, feeling dwarfed by its size and imagining what life must have been like for the people who lived here thousands of years ago.

Teotihuacan, located just outside of Mexico City, is believed to have been one of the largest cities in the ancient world, flourishing between 100 BC and 650 AD. The sheer scale of the place is astounding—the Avenue of the Dead, the broad road that runs through the center of the city, stretches for about 2 miles, and walking along it, I could feel the weight of history with each step. The avenue leads past smaller pyramids and platforms to the Pyramid of the Moon, and directly in front of me was the massive Pyramid of the Sun.

The Pyramid of the Sun, the largest structure in Teotihuacan, stands over 200 feet tall and is one of the tallest pyramids in the world. It’s thought to have been a ceremonial center, possibly dedicated to a deity of the sun or the rain. Climbing to the top, which I remember being quite the trek, offered breathtaking views of the entire city and the surrounding valley. I learned that the pyramid’s construction required an immense amount of labor and planning, with materials sourced from the surrounding areas. It’s made primarily of adobe and covered in stone.

The layout of Teotihuacan was designed with cosmology in mind. The city is aligned with the cardinal directions, and its grid pattern reflects the sophisticated urban planning of the Teotihuacanos. Archaeologists believe that the site was a major cultural, religious, and trading hub, attracting people from all over Mesoamerica. Even though the original builders and rulers of Teotihuacan are still a mystery—there’s no written record of them—the city’s influence was far-reaching, with evidence of its cultural and architectural styles found as far away as Guatemala.

One of the most interesting aspects of Teotihuacan is that it was a multi-ethnic city. The different districts within the city housed people from various regions, each contributing to the rich cultural diversity that defined the city at its height. Walking through the site in 2002, I remember thinking about how this ancient metropolis was once home to as many as 200,000 people, yet today it felt so still and quiet, with only the wind whispering through the ruins.

I also spent time exploring the Pyramid of the Moon, which is smaller but no less impressive. It’s positioned at the northern end of the Avenue of the Dead and may have been used for rituals involving human and animal sacrifices. Teotihuacan’s religious practices, which included the worship of deities like Quetzalcoatl, the Feathered Serpent, and Tlaloc, the rain god, played a central role in their society, and much of their architecture reflects these spiritual beliefs.

Looking back on that trip, I remember being struck by how advanced Teotihuacan was for its time. The city had complex infrastructure, including a drainage system and residential compounds that housed entire families. Its monumental architecture, like the pyramids, speaks to a sophisticated society that valued art, astronomy, and religion. Teotihuacan’s murals, many of which are still visible today, depict elaborate scenes of gods, animals, and ritual activities, offering a glimpse into the rich spiritual life of its people.

My visit to Teotihuacan in 2002 was unforgettable. It felt like stepping back in time, connecting with a civilization that, despite its fall centuries ago, continues to captivate and educate visitors with its mystery and grandeur. The city remains a testament to the ingenuity and cultural complexity of ancient Mesoamerica, and I felt privileged to experience it firsthand.