Ideology, Polity, and Social History of the Teotihuacan State

The Central Mexican Highlands, home to two of Mesoamerica's most populous ancient cities—Teotihuacan and Tenochtitlan—hosted unprecedented urban development due to unique local conditions. Teotihuacan, with an estimated population of 100,000–150,000, emerged as a complex society with distinct ideological and political structures. This study identifies the underlying factors that facilitated such large-scale urbanization in this region, offering insights into the social organization and governance of one of Mesoamerica's most influential states. The research combines archaeological evidence with historical analysis to reconstruct Teotihuacan's polity and ideology, providing a framework for understanding its long-term impact on regional development.

Sugiyama, S. (2012). Ideology, Polity, and Social History of the Teotihuacan State. The Oxford Handbook of Mesoamerican Archaeology, 215–229. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195390933.013.0015