
For many years, archaeologists believed Teotihuacan was built by the Toltec but the early history of Teotihuacan is quite mysterious and the origin of its founders is debated. Teotihuacan reached its peak in 450 AD, when it was the center of a powerful culture whose influence extended through much of the Mesoamerican region.The city covered over 30 km² (over 11½ square miles), and perhaps housed a population of 150,000 people, with one estimate reaching as high as 250,000. Teotihuacan is known for producing a great number of obsidian artifacts with the city was a center of industry, home to many potters, jewelers and craftsmen. Evidence for population decline beginning around the 6th century lends some support to the internal unrest hypothesis. The decline of Teotihuacan has been correlated to lengthy droughts related to the climate changes of 535-536 AD.
The religion of Teotihuacan was similar to that of other Mesoamerican cultures. Many of the same gods were worshiped, including the Feathered Serpent (the Aztecs' Quetzalcoatl) and Rain God (the Aztecs' Tlaloc.).