Ancient pyramid in Mexico collapses amid severe rains
Torrential rains have destroyed a unique monument in Mexico. During the summer, a wall of the pyramid, more than a thousand years old, collapsed. According to National Geographic, the descendants of the original inhabitants of the area see this as a potentially bad omen.
Extreme weather events not only impact contemporary life but also threaten the cultural heritage left by ancient civilizations. This summer, an incident in Mexico demonstrated their devastating effect.
On the night of 29 June, heavy rainfall caused the southern wall of a 15-metre pyramid in the state of Michoacán to collapse. The ancient structure, built of stone over 1,100 years ago, was severely damaged under the water's pressure, and its future remains uncertain.
The destroyed pyramid is one of the best-preserved monuments of the Kingdom of Michoacán, the former centre of the P’urhépecha civilisation, also referred to as the Tarascans—a name given by Spanish conquistadors. The structure held great significance for the indigenous people, whose culture and language have survived to this day.
The pyramid collapsed. talks about a "bad omen"
According to "National Geographic," a contemporary representative of the P’urhépecha, Tariakuiri Álvarez, posted on Facebook that his ancestors would have viewed this as a bad omen, interpreting it as a sign of the gods' displeasure. Such beliefs were common in many ancient cultures, often linking extreme weather events to supernatural forces.
The pyramid was destroyed amid extreme weather conditions that have hit Mexico in recent months. The torrential rains that inundated the country in June followed the worst drought in 30 years, intensifying their destructive impact.
The National Institute of Anthropology and History in Mexico has assessed the pyramid's current condition. Experts have determined that at least six stepped layers of the structure require urgent conservation work, as their condition is seriously compromised. This incident underscores the immense threat of climate change and severe weather events on historical monuments.
