Pyramid of the Moon, Pre-Columbian pyramid in Teotihuacan, Mexico.

The Pyramid of the Moon is a truncated stepped pyramid of rough gray-brown stone at the northwest end of Teotihuacan's ceremonial center, closing the Plaza of the Moon at the head of the Avenue of the Dead. It stands 43 meters high, with a base of about 130 by 147 meters, and its profile echoes the Cerro Gordo mountain to the north. Its visible outer layer shows the talud-tablero form, with a wide stairway flanked by sloping balustrades and a rounded mound of exposed rubble at the top.

The Pyramid of the Moon was begun during the Tzacualli phase (about 1–150 CE), alongside the Pyramid of the Sun, and already had its present profile before 200 CE. Between 210 and 450 CE a four-tier talud-tablero structure was added facing the stairway to the Avenue of the Dead. Excavations since 1998 revealed at least six renovations, each larger and covering the previous one; a tomb found in 1999 held four human skeletons and offerings dated 100–200 CE.

The pyramid's summit platform held ceremonies for the Great Goddess of Teotihuacan, a water and fertility deity; a 22-tonne stone sculpture of her as a water goddess was found at the pyramid's foot. In front lies the Plaza of the Moon, with a central altar and a four-part layout called the Teotihuacan Cross.

The archaeological site lies roughly one hour from Mexico City and can be reached through guided tours or independent visits on most weekdays. Early morning hours offer cooler temperatures and fewer crowds, making the climb up the steps more comfortable.

Tunnels dug beneath the pyramid since 1998 revealed at least six renovations, each larger than the last. In 1999 Saburo Sugiyama and Rubén Cabrera found a tomb with four human skeletons, obsidian blades and offerings, dated 100–200 CE; a 1998 tomb held one male victim plus a wolf, jaguar, puma, serpent and over 400 relics.