Water Temples and Civil Engineering at Teotihuacan, Mexico

At Teotihuacán, Mexico, the study reveals sophisticated water management systems integrated into the city’s architecture, particularly around its temples. These findings challenge traditional assumptions about Mesoamerican civil engineering by demonstrating advanced hydraulic planning and infrastructure that supported both religious and urban functions. The research combines empirical archaeological data with innovative social theory to explore how Teotihuacán’s leaders harnessed water resources for ceremonial purposes while sustaining a large population. By analyzing temple layouts, drainage systems, and water channels, the study provides new insights into the city’s engineering prowess and its role in shaping Mesoamerican urbanism.

Evans, S. T., & Nichols, D. L. (2015). Water Temples and Civil Engineering at Teotihuacan, Mexico. Human Adaptation in Ancient Mesoamerica: Empirical Approaches to Mesoamerican Archaeology, 25–51. https://doi.org/10.5876/9781607323921.c002