It is believed that it may have served as the starting point for the urban layout of the sacred city of Teotihuacan. How long ago? More than 1,700 years ago. What are the secrets of the Pyramid of the Moon?
Teotihuacan is the place where the gods were created, according to the Aztec cosmovision. It is 45 meters high, and 140 by 150 meters of base. It was the starting point from which the Teotihuacans erected their sacred capital.
Starting point
“Only the Pyramid of the Sun is bigger than this building,” documents Mexican Archaeology. However, based on geophysical tests, the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) of Mexico corroborated that underneath the Pyramid of the Moon there is an artificial cave and secret passages. Here is what we know about it.
Since 1987, the sacred city of Teotihuacan has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built between the first and third centuries A.D., “It was one of the most important cultural and artistic centers of Mesoamerica. Its influence went far beyond the confines of the surrounding region,” describes the institution.
The Pyramid of the Moon is proof of the vast urban and engineering development they achieved. This is confirmed by an archaeological mission supervised by INAH. It seems that the Pyramid of the Moon was the starting point for the layout of the entire sacred city during the Classic Period (300-650 A.D.).
Underworld
Excavations culminated in 2020, when archaeologists discovered that there is a large cave 15 meters deep. It is located “towards the center of the present structure and oriented towards Cerro Gordo”. It is an artificial cave, which ancient architects designed to emulate the shape of the underworld.
The results were published in Journal of Archaeological Science. In addition to the cave, they also found secret tunnels and passageways. They are below the pyramids of the Sun and Quetzalcoat. ERT and ANT soundings were used. These are non-invasive geophysical techniques with the heritage. This void was confirmed below the Pyramid of the Moon, which could emulate the shape of the Teotihuacan underworld. But it is just one more of the secrets of the Pyramid of the Moon. How many more are left?
