Ancient Michoacán pyramid crumbles in torrential rains
Torrential rains have destroyed a unique monument in Mexico. During the summer, one of the walls of the more-than-thousand-year-old pyramid collapsed. As National Geographic reported, the descendants of the former inhabitants of these lands see this as a potentially bad omen.
3:18 PM EST, November 20, 2024
Extreme weather events not only affect contemporary life but also destroy the cultural heritage left by ancient civilizations. This summer, an event in Mexico confirmed their destructive impact.
On the night of June 29, heavy rainfall collapsed the southern wall of a 49-foot pyramid in the state of Michoacán. Under water pressure, the ancient structure, built of stone over 1,100 years ago, was severely damaged, and its future remains uncertain.
The destroyed pyramid is one of the best-preserved monuments of the Kingdom of Michoacán, the former center of the P’urhépecha civilization, also known as the Tarascans—a name given by Spanish conquistadors. The structure was of great significance to the indigenous people, whose culture and language have survived to this day.
The pyramid collapsed. talks about a "bad omen"
As reported by "National Geographic," a contemporary representative of the P’urhépecha, Tariakuiri Álvarez, wrote on Facebook that his ancestors would consider this event a bad omen, interpreting it as a sign of the gods' anger. Such beliefs were common in many ancient cultures, associating extreme weather events with supernatural forces.
The pyramid's destruction occurred in the context of extreme weather conditions that have hit Mexico in recent months. The torrential rains that flooded the country in June came after the worst drought in 30 years, further amplifying their destructive power.
The National Institute of Anthropology and History in Mexico analyzed the pyramid's current state. Experts determined that at least six stepped bodies of the structure require urgent conservation work, as their condition is seriously compromised. This event highlights the immense threat climate change and intense weather phenomena pose to monuments.
