In Mexico, an ancient pyramid has collapsed, and locals fear the pile of rubble is an ominous sign.
Science Alert writes about this.
The stone pyramid, located in Ihuacio, in the Mexican state of Michoacan, collapsed after continuous rains. The southern wall of the monument has completely turned into ruins.
The 15-meter-high pyramid was one of the best-preserved monuments of the ancient kingdom of Michoacan. It was part of an archaeological complex that contained another pyramid, a fortress tower and several tombs.
The pyramid was first occupied by Nahuatl-speaking natives 1,100 years ago, and later became the headquarters of the Purhepechas, the only empire the Aztecs could not conquer.
According to a spokesman for Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), although only one of the pyramids was damaged, at least six of its “stepped bodies” are now in a state of decay, including the outer wall, core and retaining wall.
Tariacuiri Alvarez, who identifies as a member of the Pyurhepecha tribe, says his ancestors may have considered the collapse of the pyramid a “bad omen”.
In a Facebook post, Alvarez noted that something similar happened before foreign conquerors came to Mexico and that it happened because the gods were “displeased.” However, INAH attributed the incident to extreme weather conditions. In the past two years, Mexico has suffered its worst drought in 30 years, the effects of which were so dire that several lakes in the country dried up completely. Then, in July, Mexico was hit by torrential rains and storms.
“Previously high temperatures in the region and the subsequent drought caused cracks that helped filter water inside the pre-Hispanic building.”
Officials are now restoring the structure to “serve the cultural heritage of Mexicans.”
