[Murals of Drinkers (fragment) (Murales de los Bebedores (fragment)), General view: General view of one of the mural fragments]

creator: unknown Mesoamerican

Repository object label, The Beatriz de la Fuente Teotihuacán Murals Museum (Museo De Los Murales Teotihuacanos - Beatriz de La Fuente), translation from Spanish, "Cholula, being close to Teotihuacan, was linked to this city for relationships of all kinds. Possibly because of that reason, the architectural characteristics of the building in which is the mural of "The Drinkers / Los Bebedores" they are similar to the Atetelco and Zacuala Palaces, located in Teotihuacan. The original painting, made in fresco, around 200 AD, is made up of scenes in which men and women sitting down have a drink, possibly pulque. Some wear masks and others go naked or carry maxtlatl. Only two fragments are represented here of that great mural." / https://www.oxfordartonline.com, Cholula, "Pre-Columbian site in Mexico, about 10 km south-west of the city of Puebla in north-central Puebla State. A huge Mesoamerican city and place of religious pilgrimage, it flourished throughout the Classic and Post-Classic periods (c. AD 250–1521). Its period of continuous occupation was one of the longest among sites in central Mexico, although there may have been a short hiatus in the Early Post-Classic period (c. AD 900–c. 1200). Pre-Columbian occupation in the vicinity began c. 600 BC and continued to the Spanish Conquest, after which Cholula became an important colonial city. The major period of monumental construction was between the 1st century AD and the 8th century. The city described and conquered by Cortés in 1519 was to the north-east of the Great Pyramid. ... In the Classic period (c. AD 250–c. 900) a new pyramid (Structure B) was built, covering the former one. This shows strong Teotihuacán influence, both in the style of its Talud–tablero architecture and in wall paintings showing geometric designs, seashells, and insects in black, red, yellow, and blue. On the face of a structure built in the 3rd century AD against the west side of the pyramid is a wall painting known as Los Bebidores (‘The Drinkers’; in situ). Life-size and c. 46 m long, it depicts a general scene of celebration, perhaps of a successful harvest, indicative of the city’s prosperity—men drinking, a dog, a bee, and two old women. The men are nude or clad only in waistbands and jewellery, and some wear ceremonial masks. In the 3rd to 5th centuries AD Cholula acted as a buffer state and trading middleman between the interests of Teotihuacán in the Basin of Mexico and Monte Albán in the Southern Highlands. There was also influence from Tajín in the Gulf Coast in the monumental sculpture and ceramics found in the Great Plaza on the south side of the pyramid." / Wikipedia article, Great Pyramid of Cholula, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pyramid_of_Cholula#Elements "Excavations have resulted in about eight kilometers of tunnels inside the pyramid, which began with two in 1931 to prove that the hill was an archeological find. Within, altars with offerings, floors, walls and buried human remains from around 900 AD were discovered. Today, only about 800 meters of these tunnels are open to the public, which have been made into well-lit, arched passages. Visitors enter on the north side, through the center of the pyramid and exit on the south side. There are few signs explaining the structures within, but in one section allows a view of main staircases of one of the pyramids, whose nine floors have been excavated from bottom to top. There are also two famous murals. One is called "Chapulines," which consists of images of grasshoppers with a black skull in the middle. And the other is the "Bebedores," which depicts various figures drinking out of vessels most commonly used for pulque. Around the pyramid are a number of other structures and patios, which form a massive complex. The Patio of the Altars was the main access to the pyramid and is named for the various altars that surround a main courtyard. Initial excavations eventually indicated that the main access to the pyramid was on the west side, which latter excavations confirmed. Both also showed that there usually were minor accesses on the northeast and southwest corners." / https://mesoamericanstudiesonline.blog/2019/07/07/the-teotihuacan-murals-museum/ "The Teotihuacan Murals Museum, located on the western edge of the archaeological zone, is home to mural fragments excavated at the site of Teotihuacan. Although some murals have been left in situ in the apartment compounds where they were discovered, many were looted and then repatriated back into Mexico, and brought to this museum. These murals highlight important aspects of Teotihuacan culture; for example, the Teotihuacan perception of animals, the kind of clothing worn by priests and other members of society, and the importance of natural resources in the Teotihuacano world. Teotihuacan perception of animals: Animals play a crucial role in Mesoamerican art, but perhaps nowhere more so than at Teotihuacan. The most common examples include the netted jaguar, the eagle, the coyote, the butterfly, and the quetzal bird. As you enter the Teotihuacan Murals Museum, the first mural you see shows a bird in song. The bird stands with wings outstretched, and a spiral emerges from its mouth- this means that it is singing. Footprints encircle the bird, and although they are human footprints, the design gives the impression that the bird is dancing. Other murals throughout the museum show coyotes, jaguars, and butterflies. These animals frequently form part of processions, where they appear repeated one after another in a line. These scenes show that Teotihuacanos considered animals to be active participants in society. Archaeological evidence confirms that animals were considered important enough to be included in sacrificial offerings, and they were frequently buried with people of high social rank. Clothing worn by priests: The murals at Teotihuacan also give us a clearer idea of the clothing worn by ancient people. [Priest Impersonating Tlaloc] This mural shows a priest holding an incense bag while wearing Storm God goggles. He or she appears to be impersonating this deity, and was likely involved in some sort of ritual. This is one of the most frequent depictions we see of human beings in murals: in the act of taking on the persona of a deity in order to plead for their favor or intervention. Natural resources in the Teotihuacano world: The last mural that you will see as you leave the Teotihuacan Murals Museum is a lush painting of a descending winged person, surrounded by plants and animals. The Teotihuacanos lived in a world that was teeming with life. The mural paintings found at the site frequently incorporate elements of the natural world, including local and exotic plants and different sources of water. This mural is so full of life! Plants grow and twist, birds and butterflies flit through the scene, and there is even a large white heron standing stoically off in the corner. Flowers hang from the top of the scene and decorate the border, creating a full frame of life and abundance. The mural paintings of Teotihuacan are detailed and lush, giving us a window into the world in which the ancient Teotihuacanos envisioned themselves." Source: https://www.oxfordartonline.com; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pyramid_of_Cholula#Element; https://mesoamericanstudiesonline.blog/2019/07/07/the-teotihuacan-murals-museum/

pigment; lime plaster

[Murals of Drinkers (fragment) (Murales de los Bebedores (fragment)), General view: General view of one of the mural fragments]

creator: unknown Mesoamerican

Repository object label, The Beatriz de la Fuente Teotihuacán Murals Museum (Museo De Los Murales Teotihuacanos - Beatriz de La Fuente), translation from Spanish, "Cholula, being close to Teotihuacan, was linked to this city for relationships of all kinds. Possibly because of that reason, the architectural characteristics of the building in which is the mural of "The Drinkers / Los Bebedores" they are similar to the Atetelco and Zacuala Palaces, located in Teotihuacan. The original painting, made in fresco, around 200 AD, is made up of scenes in which men and women sitting down have a drink, possibly pulque. Some wear masks and others go naked or carry maxtlatl. Only two fragments are represented here of that great mural." / https://www.oxfordartonline.com, Cholula, "Pre-Columbian site in Mexico, about 10 km south-west of the city of Puebla in north-central Puebla State. A huge Mesoamerican city and place of religious pilgrimage, it flourished throughout the Classic and Post-Classic periods (c. AD 250–1521). Its period of continuous occupation was one of the longest among sites in central Mexico, although there may have been a short hiatus in the Early Post-Classic period (c. AD 900–c. 1200). Pre-Columbian occupation in the vicinity began c. 600 BC and continued to the Spanish Conquest, after which Cholula became an important colonial city. The major period of monumental construction was between the 1st century AD and the 8th century. The city described and conquered by Cortés in 1519 was to the north-east of the Great Pyramid. ... In the Classic period (c. AD 250–c. 900) a new pyramid (Structure B) was built, covering the former one. This shows strong Teotihuacán influence, both in the style of its Talud–tablero architecture and in wall paintings showing geometric designs, seashells, and insects in black, red, yellow, and blue. On the face of a structure built in the 3rd century AD against the west side of the pyramid is a wall painting known as Los Bebidores (‘The Drinkers’; in situ). Life-size and c. 46 m long, it depicts a general scene of celebration, perhaps of a successful harvest, indicative of the city’s prosperity—men drinking, a dog, a bee, and two old women. The men are nude or clad only in waistbands and jewellery, and some wear ceremonial masks. In the 3rd to 5th centuries AD Cholula acted as a buffer state and trading middleman between the interests of Teotihuacán in the Basin of Mexico and Monte Albán in the Southern Highlands. There was also influence from Tajín in the Gulf Coast in the monumental sculpture and ceramics found in the Great Plaza on the south side of the pyramid." / Wikipedia article, Great Pyramid of Cholula, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pyramid_of_Cholula#Elements "Excavations have resulted in about eight kilometers of tunnels inside the pyramid, which began with two in 1931 to prove that the hill was an archeological find. Within, altars with offerings, floors, walls and buried human remains from around 900 AD were discovered. Today, only about 800 meters of these tunnels are open to the public, which have been made into well-lit, arched passages. Visitors enter on the north side, through the center of the pyramid and exit on the south side. There are few signs explaining the structures within, but in one section allows a view of main staircases of one of the pyramids, whose nine floors have been excavated from bottom to top. There are also two famous murals. One is called "Chapulines," which consists of images of grasshoppers with a black skull in the middle. And the other is the "Bebedores," which depicts various figures drinking out of vessels most commonly used for pulque. Around the pyramid are a number of other structures and patios, which form a massive complex. The Patio of the Altars was the main access to the pyramid and is named for the various altars that surround a main courtyard. Initial excavations eventually indicated that the main access to the pyramid was on the west side, which latter excavations confirmed. Both also showed that there usually were minor accesses on the northeast and southwest corners." / https://mesoamericanstudiesonline.blog/2019/07/07/the-teotihuacan-murals-museum/ "The Teotihuacan Murals Museum, located on the western edge of the archaeological zone, is home to mural fragments excavated at the site of Teotihuacan. Although some murals have been left in situ in the apartment compounds where they were discovered, many were looted and then repatriated back into Mexico, and brought to this museum. These murals highlight important aspects of Teotihuacan culture; for example, the Teotihuacan perception of animals, the kind of clothing worn by priests and other members of society, and the importance of natural resources in the Teotihuacano world. Teotihuacan perception of animals: Animals play a crucial role in Mesoamerican art, but perhaps nowhere more so than at Teotihuacan. The most common examples include the netted jaguar, the eagle, the coyote, the butterfly, and the quetzal bird. As you enter the Teotihuacan Murals Museum, the first mural you see shows a bird in song. The bird stands with wings outstretched, and a spiral emerges from its mouth- this means that it is singing. Footprints encircle the bird, and although they are human footprints, the design gives the impression that the bird is dancing. Other murals throughout the museum show coyotes, jaguars, and butterflies. These animals frequently form part of processions, where they appear repeated one after another in a line. These scenes show that Teotihuacanos considered animals to be active participants in society. Archaeological evidence confirms that animals were considered important enough to be included in sacrificial offerings, and they were frequently buried with people of high social rank. Clothing worn by priests: The murals at Teotihuacan also give us a clearer idea of the clothing worn by ancient people. [Priest Impersonating Tlaloc] This mural shows a priest holding an incense bag while wearing Storm God goggles. He or she appears to be impersonating this deity, and was likely involved in some sort of ritual. This is one of the most frequent depictions we see of human beings in murals: in the act of taking on the persona of a deity in order to plead for their favor or intervention. Natural resources in the Teotihuacano world: The last mural that you will see as you leave the Teotihuacan Murals Museum is a lush painting of a descending winged person, surrounded by plants and animals. The Teotihuacanos lived in a world that was teeming with life. The mural paintings found at the site frequently incorporate elements of the natural world, including local and exotic plants and different sources of water. This mural is so full of life! Plants grow and twist, birds and butterflies flit through the scene, and there is even a large white heron standing stoically off in the corner. Flowers hang from the top of the scene and decorate the border, creating a full frame of life and abundance. The mural paintings of Teotihuacan are detailed and lush, giving us a window into the world in which the ancient Teotihuacanos envisioned themselves." Source: https://www.oxfordartonline.com; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pyramid_of_Cholula#Element; https://mesoamericanstudiesonline.blog/2019/07/07/the-teotihuacan-murals-museum/

pigment; lime plaster

[Murals of Drinkers (fragment) (Murales de los Bebedores (fragment)), Partial view: Detail view of one of the mural fragments]

creator: unknown Mesoamerican

Repository object label, The Beatriz de la Fuente Teotihuacán Murals Museum (Museo De Los Murales Teotihuacanos - Beatriz de La Fuente), translation from Spanish, "Cholula, being close to Teotihuacan, was linked to this city for relationships of all kinds. Possibly because of that reason, the architectural characteristics of the building in which is the mural of "The Drinkers / Los Bebedores" they are similar to the Atetelco and Zacuala Palaces, located in Teotihuacan. The original painting, made in fresco, around 200 AD, is made up of scenes in which men and women sitting down have a drink, possibly pulque. Some wear masks and others go naked or carry maxtlatl. Only two fragments are represented here of that great mural." / https://www.oxfordartonline.com, Cholula, "Pre-Columbian site in Mexico, about 10 km south-west of the city of Puebla in north-central Puebla State. A huge Mesoamerican city and place of religious pilgrimage, it flourished throughout the Classic and Post-Classic periods (c. AD 250–1521). Its period of continuous occupation was one of the longest among sites in central Mexico, although there may have been a short hiatus in the Early Post-Classic period (c. AD 900–c. 1200). Pre-Columbian occupation in the vicinity began c. 600 BC and continued to the Spanish Conquest, after which Cholula became an important colonial city. The major period of monumental construction was between the 1st century AD and the 8th century. The city described and conquered by Cortés in 1519 was to the north-east of the Great Pyramid. ... In the Classic period (c. AD 250–c. 900) a new pyramid (Structure B) was built, covering the former one. This shows strong Teotihuacán influence, both in the style of its Talud–tablero architecture and in wall paintings showing geometric designs, seashells, and insects in black, red, yellow, and blue. On the face of a structure built in the 3rd century AD against the west side of the pyramid is a wall painting known as Los Bebidores (‘The Drinkers’; in situ). Life-size and c. 46 m long, it depicts a general scene of celebration, perhaps of a successful harvest, indicative of the city’s prosperity—men drinking, a dog, a bee, and two old women. The men are nude or clad only in waistbands and jewellery, and some wear ceremonial masks. In the 3rd to 5th centuries AD Cholula acted as a buffer state and trading middleman between the interests of Teotihuacán in the Basin of Mexico and Monte Albán in the Southern Highlands. There was also influence from Tajín in the Gulf Coast in the monumental sculpture and ceramics found in the Great Plaza on the south side of the pyramid." / Wikipedia article, Great Pyramid of Cholula, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pyramid_of_Cholula#Elements "Excavations have resulted in about eight kilometers of tunnels inside the pyramid, which began with two in 1931 to prove that the hill was an archeological find. Within, altars with offerings, floors, walls and buried human remains from around 900 AD were discovered. Today, only about 800 meters of these tunnels are open to the public, which have been made into well-lit, arched passages. Visitors enter on the north side, through the center of the pyramid and exit on the south side. There are few signs explaining the structures within, but in one section allows a view of main staircases of one of the pyramids, whose nine floors have been excavated from bottom to top. There are also two famous murals. One is called "Chapulines," which consists of images of grasshoppers with a black skull in the middle. And the other is the "Bebedores," which depicts various figures drinking out of vessels most commonly used for pulque. Around the pyramid are a number of other structures and patios, which form a massive complex. The Patio of the Altars was the main access to the pyramid and is named for the various altars that surround a main courtyard. Initial excavations eventually indicated that the main access to the pyramid was on the west side, which latter excavations confirmed. Both also showed that there usually were minor accesses on the northeast and southwest corners." / https://mesoamericanstudiesonline.blog/2019/07/07/the-teotihuacan-murals-museum/ "The Teotihuacan Murals Museum, located on the western edge of the archaeological zone, is home to mural fragments excavated at the site of Teotihuacan. Although some murals have been left in situ in the apartment compounds where they were discovered, many were looted and then repatriated back into Mexico, and brought to this museum. These murals highlight important aspects of Teotihuacan culture; for example, the Teotihuacan perception of animals, the kind of clothing worn by priests and other members of society, and the importance of natural resources in the Teotihuacano world. Teotihuacan perception of animals: Animals play a crucial role in Mesoamerican art, but perhaps nowhere more so than at Teotihuacan. The most common examples include the netted jaguar, the eagle, the coyote, the butterfly, and the quetzal bird. As you enter the Teotihuacan Murals Museum, the first mural you see shows a bird in song. The bird stands with wings outstretched, and a spiral emerges from its mouth- this means that it is singing. Footprints encircle the bird, and although they are human footprints, the design gives the impression that the bird is dancing. Other murals throughout the museum show coyotes, jaguars, and butterflies. These animals frequently form part of processions, where they appear repeated one after another in a line. These scenes show that Teotihuacanos considered animals to be active participants in society. Archaeological evidence confirms that animals were considered important enough to be included in sacrificial offerings, and they were frequently buried with people of high social rank. Clothing worn by priests: The murals at Teotihuacan also give us a clearer idea of the clothing worn by ancient people. [Priest Impersonating Tlaloc] This mural shows a priest holding an incense bag while wearing Storm God goggles. He or she appears to be impersonating this deity, and was likely involved in some sort of ritual. This is one of the most frequent depictions we see of human beings in murals: in the act of taking on the persona of a deity in order to plead for their favor or intervention. Natural resources in the Teotihuacano world: The last mural that you will see as you leave the Teotihuacan Murals Museum is a lush painting of a descending winged person, surrounded by plants and animals. The Teotihuacanos lived in a world that was teeming with life. The mural paintings found at the site frequently incorporate elements of the natural world, including local and exotic plants and different sources of water. This mural is so full of life! Plants grow and twist, birds and butterflies flit through the scene, and there is even a large white heron standing stoically off in the corner. Flowers hang from the top of the scene and decorate the border, creating a full frame of life and abundance. The mural paintings of Teotihuacan are detailed and lush, giving us a window into the world in which the ancient Teotihuacanos envisioned themselves." Source: https://www.oxfordartonline.com; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pyramid_of_Cholula#Element; https://mesoamericanstudiesonline.blog/2019/07/07/the-teotihuacan-murals-museum/

pigment; lime plaster

[Murals of Drinkers (fragment) (Murales de los Bebedores (fragment)), Partial view: Detail view of one of the mural fragments]

creator: unknown Mesoamerican

Repository object label, The Beatriz de la Fuente Teotihuacán Murals Museum (Museo De Los Murales Teotihuacanos - Beatriz de La Fuente), translation from Spanish, "Cholula, being close to Teotihuacan, was linked to this city for relationships of all kinds. Possibly because of that reason, the architectural characteristics of the building in which is the mural of "The Drinkers / Los Bebedores" they are similar to the Atetelco and Zacuala Palaces, located in Teotihuacan. The original painting, made in fresco, around 200 AD, is made up of scenes in which men and women sitting down have a drink, possibly pulque. Some wear masks and others go naked or carry maxtlatl. Only two fragments are represented here of that great mural." / https://www.oxfordartonline.com, Cholula, "Pre-Columbian site in Mexico, about 10 km south-west of the city of Puebla in north-central Puebla State. A huge Mesoamerican city and place of religious pilgrimage, it flourished throughout the Classic and Post-Classic periods (c. AD 250–1521). Its period of continuous occupation was one of the longest among sites in central Mexico, although there may have been a short hiatus in the Early Post-Classic period (c. AD 900–c. 1200). Pre-Columbian occupation in the vicinity began c. 600 BC and continued to the Spanish Conquest, after which Cholula became an important colonial city. The major period of monumental construction was between the 1st century AD and the 8th century. The city described and conquered by Cortés in 1519 was to the north-east of the Great Pyramid. ... In the Classic period (c. AD 250–c. 900) a new pyramid (Structure B) was built, covering the former one. This shows strong Teotihuacán influence, both in the style of its Talud–tablero architecture and in wall paintings showing geometric designs, seashells, and insects in black, red, yellow, and blue. On the face of a structure built in the 3rd century AD against the west side of the pyramid is a wall painting known as Los Bebidores (‘The Drinkers’; in situ). Life-size and c. 46 m long, it depicts a general scene of celebration, perhaps of a successful harvest, indicative of the city’s prosperity—men drinking, a dog, a bee, and two old women. The men are nude or clad only in waistbands and jewellery, and some wear ceremonial masks. In the 3rd to 5th centuries AD Cholula acted as a buffer state and trading middleman between the interests of Teotihuacán in the Basin of Mexico and Monte Albán in the Southern Highlands. There was also influence from Tajín in the Gulf Coast in the monumental sculpture and ceramics found in the Great Plaza on the south side of the pyramid." / Wikipedia article, Great Pyramid of Cholula, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pyramid_of_Cholula#Elements "Excavations have resulted in about eight kilometers of tunnels inside the pyramid, which began with two in 1931 to prove that the hill was an archeological find. Within, altars with offerings, floors, walls and buried human remains from around 900 AD were discovered. Today, only about 800 meters of these tunnels are open to the public, which have been made into well-lit, arched passages. Visitors enter on the north side, through the center of the pyramid and exit on the south side. There are few signs explaining the structures within, but in one section allows a view of main staircases of one of the pyramids, whose nine floors have been excavated from bottom to top. There are also two famous murals. One is called "Chapulines," which consists of images of grasshoppers with a black skull in the middle. And the other is the "Bebedores," which depicts various figures drinking out of vessels most commonly used for pulque. Around the pyramid are a number of other structures and patios, which form a massive complex. The Patio of the Altars was the main access to the pyramid and is named for the various altars that surround a main courtyard. Initial excavations eventually indicated that the main access to the pyramid was on the west side, which latter excavations confirmed. Both also showed that there usually were minor accesses on the northeast and southwest corners." / https://mesoamericanstudiesonline.blog/2019/07/07/the-teotihuacan-murals-museum/ "The Teotihuacan Murals Museum, located on the western edge of the archaeological zone, is home to mural fragments excavated at the site of Teotihuacan. Although some murals have been left in situ in the apartment compounds where they were discovered, many were looted and then repatriated back into Mexico, and brought to this museum. These murals highlight important aspects of Teotihuacan culture; for example, the Teotihuacan perception of animals, the kind of clothing worn by priests and other members of society, and the importance of natural resources in the Teotihuacano world. Teotihuacan perception of animals: Animals play a crucial role in Mesoamerican art, but perhaps nowhere more so than at Teotihuacan. The most common examples include the netted jaguar, the eagle, the coyote, the butterfly, and the quetzal bird. As you enter the Teotihuacan Murals Museum, the first mural you see shows a bird in song. The bird stands with wings outstretched, and a spiral emerges from its mouth- this means that it is singing. Footprints encircle the bird, and although they are human footprints, the design gives the impression that the bird is dancing. Other murals throughout the museum show coyotes, jaguars, and butterflies. These animals frequently form part of processions, where they appear repeated one after another in a line. These scenes show that Teotihuacanos considered animals to be active participants in society. Archaeological evidence confirms that animals were considered important enough to be included in sacrificial offerings, and they were frequently buried with people of high social rank. Clothing worn by priests: The murals at Teotihuacan also give us a clearer idea of the clothing worn by ancient people. [Priest Impersonating Tlaloc] This mural shows a priest holding an incense bag while wearing Storm God goggles. He or she appears to be impersonating this deity, and was likely involved in some sort of ritual. This is one of the most frequent depictions we see of human beings in murals: in the act of taking on the persona of a deity in order to plead for their favor or intervention. Natural resources in the Teotihuacano world: The last mural that you will see as you leave the Teotihuacan Murals Museum is a lush painting of a descending winged person, surrounded by plants and animals. The Teotihuacanos lived in a world that was teeming with life. The mural paintings found at the site frequently incorporate elements of the natural world, including local and exotic plants and different sources of water. This mural is so full of life! Plants grow and twist, birds and butterflies flit through the scene, and there is even a large white heron standing stoically off in the corner. Flowers hang from the top of the scene and decorate the border, creating a full frame of life and abundance. The mural paintings of Teotihuacan are detailed and lush, giving us a window into the world in which the ancient Teotihuacanos envisioned themselves." Source: https://www.oxfordartonline.com; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pyramid_of_Cholula#Element; https://mesoamericanstudiesonline.blog/2019/07/07/the-teotihuacan-murals-museum/

pigment; lime plaster