http://www.history.com/photos/mesoamerican-pyramids Explore images of Mesoamerican pyramids from Teotihuacan, Chichen Itza, Tikal, Palenque and Uxmal. Learn about an ancient calendar as well. en Copyright 2013, History.com Fri, 24 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT History.com 2013-05-24T04:00:00Z en Copyright 2013, History.com http://www.history.com/photos/mesoamerican-pyramids/photo1 At its heyday (c. AD 500 ), the Mexican city of Teotihuacan supported a population of 125,000-200,000 people. Many of the buildings were constructed around the Street of the Dead, which is still guarded by the Pyramid of the Moon (foreground) and the Pyramid of the Sun (background). http://www.history.com/photos/mesoamerican-pyramids/photo1 http://www.history.com/photos/mesoamerican-pyramids/photo2 At the north end of the Street of the Dead stands the Pyramid of the Moon, which rises to 140 feet with a base of 426 by 511 feet. http://www.history.com/photos/mesoamerican-pyramids/photo2 http://www.history.com/photos/mesoamerican-pyramids/photo3 On the east side of the Street of the Dead stands the Pyramid of the Sun, which rises to 216 feet with a base of 720 by 760 feet. It was constructed from about 1,000,000 cubic yards of material. http://www.history.com/photos/mesoamerican-pyramids/photo3 http://www.history.com/photos/mesoamerican-pyramids/photo4 The stairway of the Pyramid of the Sun is adorned with images of the feathered snake Quetzalcoatl http://www.history.com/photos/mesoamerican-pyramids/photo4 http://www.history.com/photos/mesoamerican-pyramids/photo5 El Castillo ("The Castle") rises 79 feet above the Main Plaza of the ancient Maya city of Chichen Itza in Mexico (founded c. AD 600 ). http://www.history.com/photos/mesoamerican-pyramids/photo5 http://www.history.com/photos/mesoamerican-pyramids/photo6 Each of the four sides of El Castillo has 91 stairs. Including the step on the top platform, the total number of steps is 365-- a central number in the Mayan calendar http://www.history.com/photos/mesoamerican-pyramids/photo6 http://www.history.com/photos/mesoamerican-pyramids/photo7 Part of the larger Madrid Codex (c. AD 1400), this illustrated text describes Mayan calendrical, astrological and religious practices. http://www.history.com/photos/mesoamerican-pyramids/photo7 http://www.history.com/photos/mesoamerican-pyramids/photo8 With its five pyramidal temples, Tikal was a ceremonial center of Maya civilization between AD 600 and 800. It is located in northeastern Guatemala. http://www.history.com/photos/mesoamerican-pyramids/photo8 http://www.history.com/photos/mesoamerican-pyramids/photo9 The Temple of the Jaguar crowns Pyramid I at Tikal. The structure rises 148 feet above ground. http://www.history.com/photos/mesoamerican-pyramids/photo9 http://www.history.com/photos/mesoamerican-pyramids/photo10 At 138 feet high, Pyramid II is topped by the Temple of the Masks. http://www.history.com/photos/mesoamerican-pyramids/photo10 http://www.history.com/photos/mesoamerican-pyramids/photo11 In what is now Mexico, the ancient Maya city of Palenque flourished during the Late Classic Period (c. AD 600-900). http://www.history.com/photos/mesoamerican-pyramids/photo11 http://www.history.com/photos/mesoamerican-pyramids/photo12 Very well preserved, the Temple of the Inscriptions is named for hieroglyphics found inside. http://www.history.com/photos/mesoamerican-pyramids/photo12 http://www.history.com/photos/mesoamerican-pyramids/photo13 Like Palenque, the Maya city of Uxmal (located on the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico) thrived during the late Classic Period (c. 600-900 AD). http://www.history.com/photos/mesoamerican-pyramids/photo13 http://www.history.com/photos/mesoamerican-pyramids/photo14 The Pyramid of the Magician, known for its rounded sides, rises 91 feet above the ancient city of Uxmal. http://www.history.com/photos/mesoamerican-pyramids/photo14