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Rain following a severe drought has seen an 1,100-year-old pyramid in Mexico partially collapse at the Ihuatzio archaeological site
Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 22 Aug 2024
Heavy rains saw the pyramid collapse Credit: Ramiro Aguayo, INAH
An extreme weather event in Mexico has caused the partial collapse of an ancient pre-Columbian pyramid at the Ihuatzio archaeological site.
Once one of the best-preserved monuments of the Michoacán Kingdom civilization, following heavy rains in the country’s Michoacán state, the stone pyramid, which stands 50ft (15m) tall, started to fall apart, with a large portion of the heritage structure crumbling into a pile of rubble.
The pyramid’s collapse occurred on July 29th during a period which saw heavy rainfall and thunderstorms pummel large parts of Mexico, with the extreme weather event following an extended period of intense drought - the worst in three decades.
"The high temperatures, previously recorded in the area, and the consequent drought caused cracks that favoured the filtration of water into the interior of the pre-Hispanic building," said Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) in a statement.
“Damage assessment activities continue and are focused not only on recovering the affected part but also on thoroughly repairing the structure of the building.”
With the weather directly leading to the collapse, officials say they are now focused on repairing the structure of the building "in favour of the cultural heritage of Mexicans."
Dating back at least 1,100 years and occupied by the indigenous Nahuatl-speaking groups, Ihuatzio would later become the headquarters of the P'urhépechas people - the only empire the Aztecs failed to conquer.
The structure sits alongside a number of ancient buildings at the site, including one other pyramid, a tower and some tombs. The complex at Ihuatzio is one of several major archaeological sites in the region, including the Tzintzuntzan and Tingambato heritage sites.
Heritage
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