Mexico comprises pulsating cities, mouth-watering cuisine, and incredible people. The country has a long and illustrious past and a thriving contemporary culture. These Mexican pyramids, relics from another period, are works of architectural genius.
Most of the world-famous pyramids seen in Mexico were constructed between 900 B.C.E. and 1000 C.E., and they stand as a tribute to the cultural significance of this nation. Some of the most impressive pyramids in Mexicomay be found in the Yucatan Peninsula. These pyramids’ names are included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Mexico.
Table of Contents
Pyramid of the Moon, the second-largest pyramid
Location – Teotihuacan
History
Human sacrifice and other rituals were performed at the Pyramid of the Moon, as shown by examinations of skeletal remains discovered in nearby cemeteries. The tunnel’s possible function and the presence of more artifacts have not yet been determined, but further investigation is planned.
Map of the pyramids in Mexico is the second-largest Mexico pyramids. Since Teotihuacan was emphasized throughout the time of Christ, it is also known as the city of God. But the pyramid of the moon, which has multiple separate pyramids stacked on top of one another, was constructed somewhere between 200 and 450 AD. Every tier has chambers that are now utilized for burials after being built for the great Goddesses.
2. NohochMul Pyramid in the Coba
Location – Between the towns of Tulum and Valladolid
History
The enormous pyramid in the Cobá Archaeological Zone is called NohochMul. The grand mound is the literal translation of its Mayan name, which is alternatively spelled as Ixmoja. The pyramid was constructed between 250 and 550 AD, but the temple atop was built considerably later (between 1250 and 1539 AD).
One of the highest pyramids in Mexico City, NohochMul, is also regarded as a critical Mayan archaeological site in Mexico. The Coba remains are the greatest in Mexico, with more than sixteen white ceremonial routes connecting them to other communities from one of the most renowned pyramids in all of Mexico. NohochMul is a big hill with around 120 steps that are much steeper than they seem. Another stunning sight that you must not miss at all is the peak vista.
3. The Big Pyramid, Calakmul
Location- Campeche state in southeastern Mexico
History
The city of Calakmul was founded between 700 and 350 B.C.E., and by the Late Pre Classic (350 B.C.E.-200 A.D.), it had already been a significant center of the region. It flourished in the Late Classic period (about 600–900 A.D.) but then collapsed after suffering a setback at the hands of a resurgent Tikal.
This is one of Mexico’s most exquisite pyramids. Calakmul is one of the enduring cities that experienced ongoing conflict. The city is also referred to as the kingdom of snakes or, to put it another way, is encircled by a lush, green jungle. In contrast to the giant pyramid, which encompassed a significant portion of the land, four tombs were found within the pyramid.
4. El Tajn: The Niches’ Pyramid
Location – Veracruz
History :
As it formerly had precisely 365 inches connecting it to the solar year, it is clear that this temple had significant symbolic value for the inhabitants of El Tajin. The temple was the first component of El Tajin to be found by Europeans, despite the city’s destruction about 1200 A.D.
El Tajn was identified as one of the most significant major cities of the Classic Veracruz civilization, which lasted from 600 to 900 AD. However, one of the most peculiar discoveries was that these well-known pyramids in Mexico were painted in a contrast of dark red and black, which was a highly distinct niche. At the height of roughly 20 meters, the pyramid of niches is also split into many strata.5
5. Uxmal: The Magician’s Pyramid
Location – Puuc region of Mexico
History
Legacy of the Uxmal’s Dwarf (La Leyenda del Enano de Uxmal) is a 19th-century Maya story that inspired the city’s name. A dwarf built the pyramid with the aid of his witch mother, so the tradition goes. With a height of almost 115 feet, this structure is undoubtedly among the most towering in Uxmal.
Is it thrilled to explore Mexico’s undiscovered Mexico pyramids? Due to the Toltecs’ abandonment of the area in the tenth century, it remained buried until the advent of the Spanish inhabitants. The term “Uxmal” means “three times constructed,” illustrating the many architectural trends in the region. Being one of Mexico’s most famous pyramids, it exemplifies the splendor of earlier astronomical knowledge.
6. Sun Pyramid: The Sister Pyramid
Location- Teotihuacán
History
The Aztecs, who came to Teotihuacan centuries after the city had been abandoned, gave the pyramid its current name, “Pyramid of the Sun,” however it is unclear what the original Teotihuacano inhabitants called it. Building it included two distinct periods. In its initial phase of building, which ended approximately 200 CE, the pyramid was almost as tall as it is now.
One of the most well-known pyramids in Mexico is this one. Since it has the same form as well as tombs with various strata, the pyramid of the sun is known as the sister pyramid. No words describe the vibe you experience as you ascend the main pyramids in Mexico. The highest point of the pyramid offers a perspective of the city.
7. Kukulkan’s Temple, Chichen Itza
Location- Tinum, Yucatan
History
Located in the southeastern corner of Yucatán state, Mexico, is the ancient Maya ruin of ChichénItzá, which covers an area of around 10 square kilometers (4 square miles). It likely housed 35,000 people in its heyday and served as a religious, military, political, and economic hub.
One of the world’s seven new wonders, Chichen Itza, was erected to honor the Mayan god. When the sun sets in spring, the steps’ shadows form a snake on the pyramid. The illusion appears like Slytherin, and the pyramid’s steps are 365 symbols representing days in a year. Chichen Itza pyramid is unique among Mexico pyramids.
8. Palenque’s Inscription Pyramids
Location – Chiapas
History
K’inichJanaab’ Pakal, also known as Pakal the Great, the great ruler of Palenque, commissioned the temple building about AD 675; his son, KanBalam II, finished it in memory of his father after his death in AD 683. A crypt, perhaps belonging to a 7th-century ruler-priest, was unearthed under the temple in 1952, and its contents included jade ornamentation.
Palenque pyramids are impressive in size and design. These 89-foot pyramids have temples on top. These temples are covered with Maya hieroglyphs. Hence they’re called “pyramids of the inscriptions.
9. La Iglesia and El Castillo
Location- Chichen Itza
History
El Castillo, or “the castle” in Spanish, is a 79-foot stone pyramid in the heart of ChichénItzá. The tower, also known as the Pyramid of Kukulkán, represents Mayan mythology and natural astronomical cycles. At the vernal and autumnal equinoxes, El Castillo plays host to the remarkable spectacle for which it is known worldwide.
Coba is an ancient Mayan city home to the Iglesia and the Castillo pyramids. Between 800 and 1100 CE, Coba thrived. The half-ruined, plant-covered pyramids are enigmatic and fascinating. One of Mexico’s oldest pyramids is fun to explore.
10. La Venta Pyramid
Location- Tabasco
History
Whereas the San Lorenzo heads have been dated to a time before 700 BCE, some scholars believe that the La Venta heads were carved as early as 850 BCE. These massive heads may reach a height of 2.84 meters (9.4 feet) and weigh many tonnes.
La Venta, near Tabasco, has a 900 B.C. pyramid. 100-foot-tall clay structure. Once rectangular, the clay has softened and become circular. This is one of the most advanced pyramids ever unearthed.
11. Cholula’s Pyramid
Location- San Andrés Cholula, Puebla municipality
History
The temple-pyramid complex honoring Quetzalcoatl was constructed in four phases between the third century B.C. and the ninth century A.D. Its base is 300 m x 315 m (984 ft x 1,033 ft), and it stands at the height of 25 m. To remind of the Spanish religious conquest of Mexico, a church was constructed atop the Great Pyramid of Cholula. That makes it not just the oldest continually inhabited structure in North America but also an enormous pyramid in the world.
Most people would argue that one of Egypt’s Great Pyramids is the world’s giant pyramid. The massive pyramid (by volume, not height) is at Cholula, one of the famous pyramids of South America.
12. EkBalam Tower
Location- Temozón, Yucatán,
History
For more than a millennium, EkBalam served its patrons. The building process began in the late Pre-Classic Period (100 B.C. to 300 A.D.) and lasted until the Late Classic Period (700–900 A.D.). Possible evidence suggests people were living in the city up to the time of the Spanish conquest in the 16th century.
EkBalam Mayan ruins are two hours between Cancun and Tulum and 30 minutes from Valladolid. As a less-visited Mayan ruin in Mexico, you may have the spot to yourself.
13. Edzna Ruins: 5-Story Temple
Location- Campeche
History
Between 600 and 300 B.C., the city of Edzna was established; by 1500 A.D., it had been abandoned. During the occupation, a government was established with authority from the bond between rulers and the gods. Edzna was a province of Calakmul’s empire in the era after the fall of the Roman Empire.
The Temple of Masks was unearthed in 1988. On the temple’s base are two masks, one depicting the Mayan Sunrise God and the other, the Sunset God.
14. Monte Alban Pyramids
Location- Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán Municipality
History
Monte Albán, a Zapotec metropolis on a low mountain range above the city of Oaxaca, was established in the sixth century B.C. Over a distance of around four kilometers, you may see impressive architectural remnants, including terraces, pyramids, and canals.Monte Alban is the most-visited archaeological site and iconic pyramid in Oaxaca.
15. Tula Ruins
Location –Tula de Allende
History
Tula, the former capital of the Toltec Empire, is located about two hours north of Mexico City and is now the location of an archaeological site. The most eye-catching feature is a pyramid with four Toltec warrior figures carved out of basalt and placed on it. Moreover, there is much more to see here, making Tula a highly recommended day trip destination from Mexico City. Around 650 AD, while Teotihuacán was about to fall, Tula was barely getting started.
Tula de Allende (Tula) Tollan (present-day Tula, Mexico) was formerly one of Mesoamerica’s greatest cities.Although there is evidence of human habitation dating back to 400 BC, a tiny village of just 5 km2 with modest public structures does not appear until 650 AD. Archaeologists refer to this site as Tula Chico or Small Tula.
F.A.Q.
What is the most famous pyramid in Mexico?
The Great Pyramid of Cholula is an enormous pyramid known to exist in the world today and the most significant archaeological site of a pyramid that can be found in Central America. It can be found in Cholula, Puebla, in Mexico. El Tajin was an ancient Mesoamerica city considered one of the most significant.
Are the pyramids Aztec or Mayan?
The Maya were a Mesoamerican culture that originated approximately 1500 BC. Most of the Mayan pyramids were constructed by the Maya between the 3rd and 9th centuries A.D.
What is inside the pyramids?
The interiors of the pyramids of Giza consist almost entirely of unbroken blocks of stone; there is nothing to be discovered inside. The pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, like many other ancient Egyptian pyramids, have passageways at their bases that lead to underground burial chambers underneath each pyramid.
What were the first Mayan or Egyptian pyramids?
Mayan Pyramids were constructed by Mesoamerica’s inhabitants beginning about 1000 B.C, so it is the first to be built. And it continued until the early 16th century when Spain conquered the region.
What is the oldest pyramid on Earth?
It is generally agreed upon that the Pyramid of Djoser, which may also be written as Zoser, is the oldest in the world. It was built about the same time as the Great Pyramid of Giza, which started some 70 years later in 2560 BCE. It dates back to around 2630 BCE.
