Satellite images provided by Google Earth have been used in this study to try and determine the units of measurement used in the planning of the enclosure known as the Citadel in the ancient city of Teotihuacan, Mexico.

This follows on from studies of measurement units in Teotihuacan and Chichen Itza

Hugh Harleston jnr found Teotihuacan to be built in measures of 1.059 metres which would be 2 x cubits of 20.85" making one hunab (compare to 2 x Egyptian Royal cubits of 20.625" making 1 hunab)

Prof Sugiyama proposed a unit of 830 mm for Teotihuacan. This would be a yard of 32.68" and very interestingly compares to the "megalithic yard" of 32.64" found by Prof A. Thom for the Megalithic Sites in Britain.

Prof Sugiyama quotes a study by Drewitt (1969, 1987) and Drucker (1971,1974, 1977's) which found a unit of 805 mm (31.692").

The Sumerian basic units were a "shusi" of 0.66", link of 12 shusi (7.92"), foot of 20 shusi (13.2") cubit of 30 shusi (19.8"), yard of 50 shusi (33.0") and double yard of 100 shusi (66.0").

For larger distances, the pole of 16.5 feet (15 Sumerian feet) was used, along with a chain of 66 feet (60 Sumerian feet which was 100 links) and furlong of 660 feet (600 Sumerian feet).

Looking back to Drewitt and Druckers figure of 805 mm (31.692") we can readily see that in place of a yard of 50 shusi,they have been calculating in yards of 48 shusi (4 x links) since 48 x 0.66" = 31.68" = 804.7 mm and their study in itself provides evidence of the use of "Sumerian" measurement units at Teotihuacan.

This study looks at the citadel for evidence of "Sumerian" units, but in actual fact, it seems that "Sumerian", "Egyptian" and "Mayan" units are all based on the same measurement foundation, a plot of 100 x 100 "Sumerian" cubits which when divided by 100, 96 or 48 gives "Sumerian", Egyptian" or Mayan" units respectively.

An early view of the Citadel, a name given by the Spanish conquistadors (ciudadela)

above, the Citadel today from Google Earth.

Some examples of measurements at the Citadel in Sumerian feet are given below.

above, the Google Earth satellite measures the width of the entrance wall as 110 feet -
this equals 100 Sumerian feet of 13.2", 40 Sumerian yards of 33.0", 20 Sumerian double yards of 66.0",
or 64 Egyptian royal cubits of 20.62" or 32 Mayan hunabs of 41.25" .

above, close-up of measurement equals 100 Sumerian feet of 13.2" .

above, from the entrance to the first construction is 200 Sumerian feet of 13.2"" .

above, the Google Earth satellite measures the distance from the front of the front pyramid platform steps to the front of the rear pyramid steps as 110 English feet = 100 Sumerian feet.

above, the Google Earth satellite measures the distance from the front of the front pyramid platform base to the front of the rear pyramid base as 110 English feet = 100 Sumerian feet.

above, the Google Earth satellite measures the depth of the pyramid complex as 220 English feet
= 200 Sumerian feet of 13.2"

above, the Google Earth satellite measures the width of the front pyramid platform base as 165 English feet
= 100 Sumerian cubits of 19.8" which is also 150 Sumerian feet of 19.8", 60 Sumerian yards of 33.0",
96 Egyptian royal cubits of 20.62" or 48 Mayan hunabs of 41.25".

above, the Google Earth satellite measures the width of the pyramid platform as 110 English feet = 100 Sumerian feet. .

above, the Google Earth satellite measures the width of this base as 297 English feet = 180 Sumerian cubits of 19.8"

above, the Google Earth satellite measures this distance to the front
as 66 English feet = 60 Sumerian feet or 40 Sumerian cubits.

above, the Google Earth satellite measures the width of this terrace as 165 English feet
= 100 Sumerian cubits of 19.8".

above, the Google Earth photo with units in Sumerian feet imposed.

above, the Google Earth satellite measures the width of the complex as 1320 english feet
which is 1200 Sumerian feet of 13.2" or 800 Sumerian cubits of 19.8"

above, the Google Earth photo with additional scale bars imposed.