plan, with four main quadrants divided by the two great avenues. (Ibid) Aside from the major pyramids, most of the city consisted of residential compounds, a term devised from their size and internal design. Excavations and surveys also played an important role in uncovering and identifying a sample the 2000 compounds where the ancient Teotihuacanos resided. The apartment compounds were one-story and were surrounded by stonewalls usually constructed from stone or abode and covered with concrete and plaster. The surveys produced results from which Millon estimated an average size of 60m by 60m per room, although numerous were much larger or smaller than this estimate. These compounds divided into rooms, patios, and passages similar to some of apartment buildings of today. Another interesting feature is that each compound has at least one temple platform located near the center of the main courtyard and drainage networks made before floors and patios were in place. They served to channel and collect rainwater and possibly guide it to a compound reservoir. (Sabloff 1981, p 203)It is very important to note that this huge residential area was not constructed over a long period of time but rather was a single operation that took place primarily between 300-400 A.D. Since most of the structures differ somewhat, it has been suggested they were not in fact built by the state or even a proposed uniform plan. On the other hand, these areas could have been helpful to a state society, since they could potentially provide money through taxes, labor, and a way for the general population to be under the watchful eye of the state. Further research has provided that these were most likely constructed under some type of authority and regulation. (Sabloff 1981, p 209)From analyzing the compounds Millon has suggested social stratification from the location of these compounds, also aided by further excavations and artifacts. He concluded that along the Av...
