Monkeys in the City of Gods

Archaeological evidence reveals that Mesoamerican spider monkeys (Ateles cf. A. geoffroyi) were present in the Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan, with biological remains found in significant structures like the Pyramid of the Moon and Xalla, alongside portable material culture resembling primates, particularly in Tetitla and La Ventilla. Murals depicting monkeys were also discovered at these sites, suggesting that primates held symbolic value for the city's ruling elite and possibly other Mesoamerican societies. The study proposes that primates may have been introduced through trade or cultural exchange with distant regions like the Mayan area and Oaxacan province, particularly during the Classic period (~200–550 CE). While their presence is relatively scarce given Teotihuacan's size and research history, the findings indicate that both living primates and their representations circulated widely within the city.

Urbani, B., Serrano-Sánchez, C., Valadez-Azúa, R., Ruíz-Ramoni, D., & Cabrera-Castro, R. (2022). Monkeys in the City of Gods. World Archaeoprimatology, 13–47. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108766500.004