Archaeologists discover ancient temple hidden inside Aztec-era pyramid in Mexico
Archaeologists have discovered an ancient temple, hidden inside an Aztec-era pyramid in Mexico that was damaged during last September’s 7.1-magnitude earthquake.
Scientists from Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) were examining the Teopanzolco pyramid for structural damage with a radar when they discovered the 6m x 3.9m temple.
“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 institute said in a news release.
Archaeologists believe the temple was built between 1150 and 1200 and was dedicated to the Aztec rain god Tlaloc.
El hallazgo se suscitó tras el sismo del pasado 19 de septiembre, que provocó una inclinación y un hundimiento al centro de la estrura principal del sitio. Foto: Melitón Tapia, INAH. Supplied
The temple is much older than the pyramid it was found inside.
The pyramid was built sometime between 1200 and the Spanish conquest in 1521.
Archaeologists found an incense burner and ceramic shards among the remains.
An archaeologist from the INAH Morelos Centre said it was common for pre-Hispanic cultures to build one temple over another.
"Possibly, on the right side are the remains of another temple dedicated to Huitzilopochtli,” Barbara Koniecza said, Fox News reports.
She added the pyramid suffered a lot of damage in the September quake.
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