As I entered the special exhibit at the de Young Museum, I sensed I was about to experience something extraordinary. The dimly lit room was filled with a large screen, showcasing various artistic creations such as fresco murals and stone sculptures. On each side, the walls were covered with large bodies of text and graphics depicting the location of the archeological site. Entering the exhibit, I felt as if I were transported back in time to the very beginning of civilization in the outskirts of Mexico City.

The “Teotihuacan: City of Water, City of Fire” exhibit explores the ancient Aztec civilization of Teotihuacan with more than 200 objects of art and artifacts, ranging from recent excavations to those discovered a century ago. According to the de Young, the artworks show the presence of the city’s dominant ideology that reached everyday spaces, acting as a uniting force within a diverse population of immigrants from every direction and guided each of its citizens through Teotihuacan’s unique infrastructure. This exhibit utilized the city’s geography to organize the creations, focusing on the three most important architectural structures from the site: the Feathered Serpent Pyramid, the Sun Pyramid and the Moon Pyramid.

Click above to continue reading the story.