Teotihuacan: Origins, Urbanism, and Daily Life

Teotihuacan, one of the largest cities in the world over 1,500 years ago, stands today as a premier archaeological site and a powerful symbol of Mexico’s precolonial heritage. Despite its enduring fame and millions of annual visitors, much remains misunderstood about the Teotihuacanos who built and inhabited this extraordinary city. This lecture delves into the intricate history of Teotihuacan, exploring its rise as a multiethnic metropolis and a center of innovation.

David Carballo, Professor of Anthropology, Archeology and Latin America Studies at Boston University, will examine the city's immediate antecedents and urbanization, its unique architectural hallmark of apartment-style living, and the dynamic networks of migration and cultural exchange that shaped its identity. By connecting the iconic pyramids to the daily lives of the city's inhabitants, this talk offers a deeper understanding of one of the ancient world’s most fascinating urban centers.

Free and open to the public. Free event parking at the 52 Oxford Street Garage. Advance registration recommended for in-person and online attendance. Presented by the Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology and Harvard Museums of Science & Culture in collaboration with the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies, Harvard University.

Photo: Jennifer Carballo