Mexico was ruled by ancient civilizations long before Spanish ships arrived. They left behind fascinating relics which can be found in Mexico today. One of the standout relics are the pyramids, which were built as tributes to their gods.
These pyramids have become famous through movies like Indiana Jones, and people are still amazed by their beauty and advanced construction methods. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most well-known pyramids in Mexico and what they symbolized in ancient cultures.
7. Pyramid of the Sun (Teotihuacan)
The bigger pyramid is located in the same city as the other pyramids and was built before any of the Mayan structures, a few centuries earlier. Just like the other pyramid, it is designed to resemble the nearby mountains and has multiple tombs created during different stages of its construction.
This pyramid is the tallest among all the pyramids in the area and is thought to have been used for various magical ceremonies. During the excavation, archaeologists discovered a set of chambers deep inside the pyramid that had a cloverleaf shape, and these chambers were likely used for fire and water rituals.
6. Pyramid of the Moon (Teotihuacan)
Teotihuacan, known as the city of the Gods, was established around the time of Christ and was one of the earliest major cities in Mesoamerica. The Aztecs named the city Teotihuacán and they visited it many centuries after it had been abandoned. The Pyramid of the moon, dedicated to The Great Goddess, is the second largest pyramid in the city.
It was constructed between 200-450AD and consists of several pyramids stacked on top of each other, each with a new burial chamber. It was designed to match the shape of the nearby mountain, Cerro Gordo.
5. Pyramid of the Niches (El Tajín)
El Tajín was a significant city on the gulf coast during 600 – 900 AD and was established by the Classic Veracruz culture. The Pyramid of the Niches is the most renowned building in El Tajín. It stands at a height of 20 meters (66 feet) with seven layers and has a spacious staircase on its eastern side.
The unique aspect of this pyramid is the presence of decorative niches. Initially, the structure was painted in a dark red color and the niches were painted in black to create a shadowy effect.
4. Pyramid of the Magician (Uxmal)
Uxmal got its name “thrice built” due to its various architectural designs. This place was left deserted in the tenth century during the arrival of Toltec influence and remained unoccupied until the Spanish appeared. Among the structures, the Pyramid of the Magician has a name that relates to its Mayan purpose.
It demonstrates the Mayan people’s astronomical expertise, being aligned with Venus and having its staircase perfectly positioned to catch the rays of the setting sun on the summer solstice.
3. The Great Pyramid (Calakmul)
In the Yucatan jungles, there was a kingdom known as Calakmul, which was believed to be one of the important cities during the Mayan era. This city was constantly engaged in wars with its neighboring city called Tikal. The region is famous for having a huge pyramid, which is one of the largest in the area.
Inside the pyramid, archaeologists have uncovered four tombs that are believed to belong to the royal family. One of the remarkable aspects of this site is its location amidst the Calakmul bioreserve. This jungle setting provides a great environment for various tropical birds and howler monkeys, making it a remote and fascinating place to visit.
2. Temple of Kukulkan (Chichen Itza)
The step-pyramid found at Chichen Itza is dedicated to a Mayan God who is represented as a feathered serpent. The design of this building is incredibly accurate, as during the spring and fall equinoxes, the setting sun creates a fascinating illusion of a serpent crawling down the steps.
Moreover, if we count all the steps on each side together with the top platform step, it adds up to 365, which symbolizes the number of days in a year.
1. Nohoch Mul pyramid (Coba)
The Yucatan has a very tall pyramid that is part of a significant Mayan site. The Coba ruins are bigger than others and have sixteen special white roads that go from Nohoch Mul to nearby settlements. These settlements were thought to have a population of 50,000 people.
The pyramid’s name, Nohoch Mul, means large hill and it has 120 steps leading to the top. From there, you can see an amazing view of the area, which includes the twin lagoons that probably inspired the name Coba (wind over waters).
