Teotihuacán de Arista in Teotihuacán, Mexico State, Mexico — The Central Highlands (North America)
Jaguar and Serpent Heads
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, December 2, 2017
1. Jaguar and Serpent Heads Marker
The marker is moderately faded and its hard to read and see the illustration.
Cabezas de Serpiente y Jaguar
Durante las excavaciones arqueológicas se localizó una construcción anterior a la que se observa actualmente en superficie. Y es que alrededor del año 150-250 d.C existía aquí un edificio relacionado temporal y simbólicamente con el Templo de Quetzalcoatl. De éste se puede apreciar abajo una escalinata que son los muros bajos inclinados, que terminan con dos esculturas con forma de cabezas de serpiente que tienen lenguas bífidas. Están esculpidas sobre cantera gris y recubiertas con una capa de estuco pintado de color rosa con el objetivo de resaltar sus rasgos. Los escalones del adoratorio central estaban decorados con círculos en verde, delimitados con líneas negras, sobre fondo rojo.
Posteriormente, se construyó otro edificio encima siguiendo las mismas características pero, en lugar de cabezas de serpientes, tiene cabezas de jaguar.
Cabezas de Serpiente y Jaguar
In queman mixtlamachili in cauc motlaltatacoc, cuali omacic in queman cehpan omotecpanchichiuh, inin omuchiuh cachto in tlen axan cuali can ixpa mohta. In teomamatlati tlami itlan ce hueyi tepamitl in axan itoca alfarda ihuan in tlen quipiya ome huehueyi tzontecocohua intlen quipipya oome inenepilhuan: ininque quinxayacaquixtique ipan in nextli tetl ihuan oquinkahuilique in tenextli ica chichiliztalec tlapalli, mochi inin cual quixpantia itlatlamachyo. Ihuan in teotlamamatl in tlen yolocate, quipipiaya tlacuicuiliz yehualtique in tlen xoxoctic tlapalli quipipiaya ihuan tlamia ica tliltic tlacuicuiliztin ihuan mochi chichiltic itec quitlalilique. Ihuan inin caltecpanchichihualiztli mixnextia iqueman ihuan mochi in quenin omochichiuh in Quetzalcoatl Teocalli (150-250 d.C.).
In temamatlatl omochichiuh ipampa in yancuic caltecpanchichihualixtli, in quenin tlacpac yatoc ihuan mochi in quenin oquitetemiltique ihuan quenin oquiyectlalique in tlalli. In quenin onca, cuali moohta in quenin oquitlatlamachyoque ica in tlen itoca alfardas, noco in yancuic tlachichihualiztli oquiyecoque ica huehueyi inteconhuan in mimizyolcame.
Jaguar and Serpent Heads
In the course of their excavations, archaeologists uncovered a construction period previous to the one seen today above ground. The stairs are flanked by balustrades which end below in two huge split-tongued snake heads, each sculpted from gray quarry stone and covered with stucco painted pink to emphasize their features. The central shrine’s stairs were once also decorated, but with black-outlined, green circles over a red background. This level of construction coincides chronologically and shares important architectural symbolism with the Temple of Quetzalcoatl (150-250 A.D.).
The stairway was later used in the rebuilding of a new stage at a higher level by means of fills over which floors were laid. At the new stage you see that the decorative heads at the bottom of the stairway ballustrades were changed to represent the heads of wild cats.
Erected by Instituto
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Architecture • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures.
Location. 19° 41.303′ N, 98° 50.867′ W. Marker is in Teotihuacán de Arista, Estado de Mexico (Mexico State), in Teotihuacán. It can be reached from Calle Paloma just west of Calle Tuxpan. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Teotihuacán de Arista MEX 55880, Mexico. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Mexico and specifically in Mexico City Metropolitan Area. Globally, it is in North America, specifically in Mesoamerica, on the Ring of Fire, and in the Western Hemisphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, a Spanish colony, and the Aztec Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: West Plaza Complex (within shouting distance of this marker); Plaza B of the Avenue of the Dead Complex (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, December 2, 2017
2. Jaguar and Serpent Heads Marker
The two different construction levels mentioned in the marker's text can be seen in the background as a portion of the ground-level floor has been removed.
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, December 2, 2017
3. A separate view of the two construction levels mentioned in the marker's text
Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 18, 2017, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 310 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 18, 2017, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.
