Teotihuacan city layout as a cosmogram: Preliminary results of the 2007 Measurement Unit Study

Research at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Teotihuacan reveals that the ancient city's precise urban layout and monumental architecture were likely shaped by an indigenous measuring system. This study identifies a measurement unit used by the Teotihuacanos, suggesting their city planning reflected deep ideological principles and a sophisticated understanding of space and time. By analyzing spatial orientations and architectural features, the research offers preliminary insights into how ruling groups conceptualized their world and materialized this vision in urban design. The findings contribute significantly to understanding ancient Mesoamerican cognitive structures and preindustrial urbanism.

Sugiyama, S. (2010). Teotihuacan city layout as a cosmogram: Preliminary results of the 2007 Measurement Unit Study. The Archaeology of Measurement, 130–149. https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511760822.016