Archaeology of Teotihuacan, Mexico
The
Adosada platform (left photo: front view) was a later addition
constructed over the principal facade of the Feathered Serpent
Pyramid sometime in the fourth century A.D. Currently, two structures
stand as independent platforms, one from the other, because of
extensive removal of the eastern part of the Adosada nucleous by
Gamio to expose the western facade adorned with impressive sculptural
heads (Photo right: view of the south side). However, the Adosada had
originally been complemental architectural element integrated into
the Feathered Serpent Pyramid complex. It is unclear whether the
Adosada was surmounted by temple structure of its own. As the size
was smaller than the Feathered Serpent Pyramid itself, the Adosada
did not completely covered the facade, but left significantly large
area of the front side including the upper part of the stairway that
led to the top of the pyramid compex. The Adosada was apparently
constructed as an enlargement process of the same monument, and the
pyramid had presumably been functioning with its temple atop after
the Adosada was constructed. However, ritual, political, social
implications involved in this new construction have been poorly
understood.
For example, the pit
excavation atop the Adosada revealed that this new construction
included materials derived from the structure which had once stood on
the top of the Feathered Serpent Pyramid and destroyed later just
before the Adosada was built. The stratigraphy indicates that many
fragments of intricately modeled, fired-clay walls were from a razed
structure, probably the temple atop the Feathered Serpent Pyramid .
(Photos) They possibly formed part of a frieze adorning its facade.
In addition, other kinds of burned materials uncovered in the same
pit suggest that the structure was exposed to high temperature. The
issue is further discussed in
Looting Episodes at the Feathered
Serpent Pyramid .