16 Jul Mexico Earthquake Reveals Ancient Temple Hidden Inside Aztec Pyramid for Centuries

When many people think of Mexico, it is usually beach vacations and spicy food that comes to mind, but Mexico is also home to some very impressive and significant archeological sites. Multiple Aztec pyramids and the remains of ancient civilizations are scattered throughout the country.

If you haven’t visited one of these sites, then you must add it to your bucket list. New discoveries are constantly being made, and recently, an ancient temple was actually discovered within one of these incredible pyramids.

It was discovered quite by accident and from a very unusual method. It seems the massive 7.1 magnitude earthquake, which rocked Mexico last September causing widespread damage and devastation, is responsible for unearthing the temple.

The earthquake, with an epicenter 34 miles outside the city Puebla, killed over 200 people and injured more than 6,000. Multiple buildings collapsed causing dust clouds, fires, and many survivors to be trapped in the rubble

The Teopanzolco pyramid, which is located 43 miles south of Mexico City was considerably damaged by the earthquake and was still undergoing repairs when scientists from Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History used radar to check for further structural damage.

For more information on this historic find, check out the video below:

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While the core of the structure, which was believed to date back to the 13th century, was considerably damaged, scientists also discovered the temple, which is thought to date back to 1150, predating the pyramid that surrounded it.

It wasn’t unusual for the Aztec people to build on top of older, pre-existing structures. This newly discovered temple is believed to belong to the Tlahuica culture, which was one of the ancient peoples of central Mexico, and it is believed to be dedicated to the Aztec rain god, Tláloc.

Prior to the addition of the pyramid, archeologists claim the temple would have measured 20 feet by 13 feet. Inside, among the ruins, several artifacts were also found, including ceramic pieces and an incense burner.

According to Smithsonian, the temple had “double facade walls covered in elongated stones and stucco-encased slabs.” It is also likely that a twin temple dedicated to Huitzilopochtli, the Aztec sun god, lies buried opposite it.

The pyramid already had monuments dedicated to both gods, but the temples below, which were built on top of by later civilizations, were previously not known about. Some of the most serious damage to the pyramid was done to the areas dedicated to the rain and sun gods.

The floor area had bent and sunk in, leaving the area very unstable. However, it was this damage that led to the discovery of the hidden temple. While a second hidden temple is likely, it is not known whether or not scientists will further dismantle the damaged pyramid to look for it.

Archaeologist Barbara Koniecza told BBC News that, “The pyramid suffered considerable rearrangement of the core of its structure.” Archeologists had to create wells and a corridor in an effort to restore the damaged pyramid.

The earthquake left large gaps between the stones and efforts to repair the pyramid are currently underway. The Mexican National Institute of Anthropology and History commented on the situation in a news release, making the following statement:

“In spite of what the earthquake meant, it is necessary to be thankful that, for this natural phenomenon, this important structure [appeared] that changes the dating of the archaeological site.”

The Teopanzolco pyramid and archeological site were first inhabited by the Tlahuica people, who founded the city of modern Cuernavaca, which was referred to as Cuauhnahuac by the Tahitians around the year 1200. 

It wasn’t until the 15th century that the Aztecs conquered the Tlahucia civilization and took over the construction of the Teopanzolco pyramid, which explains why the hidden temples were covered over and build on top of by the Aztec people. 

Then, in the 16th century, the Spanish conquistadors arrived in the area, causing the pyramid site to be abandoned and leaving the unfinished structure untouched until it was rediscovered in 1920 by Mexican revolutionary, Emiliano Zapata’s forces when they built an artillery emplacement in the area.

The cannon fire, which was positioned toward federalist locations in the center of Cuernavaca, shook the soil away from the area, revealing the ancient Aztec structure underneath. The first excavation of the site took place in 1921, with further digs and restoration work taking place in the decades that followed.

The entire Teopanzolco area is made up of more than just the pyramid and is actually comprised of several buildings, other temples, and platforms. The site is now under the care of the Mexican National Institute of Anthropology and History and is open to the public for visits.

Many of the Aztec temples and pyramids are open for tourism in Mexico and are a must-see if you happen to be vacationing near one of the sites. Similarly, Mexico is home to the ruins of many Mayan civilizations with impressive step pyramids and sculptures.

Popular sites include Chichen Itza near Cancun and Chacchoben in Costa Maya. So next time you’re considering a little Mexican getaway, take a break from the beach and head to some archeological sites. You won’t regret it!

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