An ancient pyramid in Mexico has collapsed due to heavy rains and some say it could signal a bad omen ‘that some event is approaching.’
The pre-Hispanic structure, which sits in the Ihuatzio Archaeological Zone near Lake Pátzcuaro in the state of Michoacán, suddenly crumbled as pressure of heavy rains caused the monument’s south wall to slump into a pile of rubble.
The monument, which is a pyramidal base, baked as high temperatures crossed the state, causing its interior to crack. Then, researchers said, it was doused with a downpour of heavy rain which seeped into the stones and caused the central part of the south wall to fall.
Researchers from Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) revealed how the global climate has caused damage to archeological sites.
They said: ‘On the night of July 29, 2024, due to the heavy rains that have fallen in the basin of Lake Pátzcuaro, with an accumulation above the expected average of precipitation, a collapse occurred in the central part of the southern facade of one of the pyramidal bases of the Ihuatzio Archaeological Zone.
‘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.’
The firm acted quickly and experts came in to assess the damage. They said: ‘Beginning in the early hours of Tuesday, the 30th, INAH Michoacán Center personnel moved to the heritage site to assess the damage caused.
‘Their observations confirmed the damage to at least six of the stepped bodies of the so-called South Base, both in its exterior wall of slabs, as well as in its core and retaining wall.’
The experts revealed that previous attempts to repair other damaged buildings and artefacts have proven unsuccessful, and the organisation will use different techniques to rebuild this one.
‘Damage assessment activities continue and are focused not only on recovering the affected part, but also on thoroughly repairing the structure of the building,’ they said.
The structure was thought to have been constructed around 1,100 years ago by the ancestors of the modern Purépecha people, an indigenous community in Michoacán. At its peak, Ihuatzio stretched out to around 150 hectares (1.5km) and had at least 84 structures, seven of which are displayed in the park today.
It is thought that the area was first settled between 900-1300 CE but its peak were between 1200 and 1521 CE when it acted as the first seat of the Purépecha kingdom.
The pyramids were thought to be a sacred space where spiritual rituals and ceremonies occurred. Some experts think that the structure also held some sort of political role, and acted as a symbol of power and authority.
The Purépecha empire rivalled the Aztec empire and many battles were fought between the two but the Purépechans were one of the only indigenous groups in the region that the Aztecs could not conquer.
As a result, the Purépecha people are still thriving in the northwestern region of Michoacán today. Of the collapsed pyramid, one Purépechan descendent took to Facebook to reveal how the pyramid’s collapse would have been considered a bad omen, indicating ‘that some event is approaching.’
A translated version of the post said: ‘Before the arrival of the conquerors, according to historical accounts, something similar happened to the purhé (Purépechan) worldview of that time was because the Gods Nana kuerhaépiri and K’eri Kurikweri were displeased’.
The collapse came days before a popular rock feature which stood for millions of years crashed into Lake Powell in Utah’s Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Known as the Double Arch, the structure is formed from 190 million year old Navajo sandstone, and had the appearance of a natural skylight.
However, the changing shoreline of Lake Powell, which the National Park Service has revealed has been declining since 2001 due to climate change and prolonged drought, may have contributed to the collapse of the arch.
