A major archaeological discovery in Mexico! During highway widening work, the remains of a 1,400-year-old pyramid were unearthed. This imposing structure belonged to the enigmatic Metzca civilization. But the mystery remains because…
In the heart of Mexico, in the state of Hidalgo, a highway widening project took an unexpected turn when workers uncovered the remains of a prehispanic pyramid almost 1400 years old. This exceptional discovery offers a fascinating insight into the Metzca civilization, a multi-ethnic society that thrived in the Sierra Alta region between 650 and 1519 CE.
A thousand-year-old pyramid emerges from the past
Called “Structure 1”, this imposing pyramid measures 43 meters long. The archaeologists of theNational Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) also unearthed numerous remarkably preserved artifacts at the site, nicknamed “San Miguel” due to its proximity to the village of San Miguel Metzquititlán.
Among the treasures unearthed are ceramic pottery, stone tools, shells as well as traces of lime floors, charcoal and charred wood. A true journey through time that sheds light on the way of life of this enigmatic civilization.
Consolidate and protect fragile heritage
Faced with this invaluable discovery, the INAH teams took care to consolidate the pyramid with a masonry wall before reburying it to ensure its conservation. Geotextiles were used to protect exposed features, while drones were used to produce detailed photogrammetric models of the structure and site.
The base of the pyramid extends beneath the highway, requiring additional exploration to better understand its extent and cultural context.
Héctor Labra Chávez, tourism director of San Agustín Metzquititlán
An archaeological treasure threatened by budgetary constraints
If this archaeological discovery represents a unique opportunity to learn more about the fascinating Metzca civilization, INAH researchers face a major obstacle: a budget reduced by 45% planned for 2025. This financial constraint unfortunately limits the possibilities of continuing the excavations and deepening the research on this exceptional site.
The state of Hidalgo, a region rich in pre-Hispanic remains
The Metzca pyramid enriches the archaeological heritage already remarkable in the state of Hidalgo. The region is notably home to the famous Atlanteans of Tula, imposing Toltec figures representing Quetzalcoatl, as well as the archaeological zone of Xihuingo with its El Tecolote pyramid and its mysterious astronomical markers linked to Teotihuacán.
This unexpected discovery reminds us that the Mexican subsoil still conceals numerous archaeological treasures just waiting to be revealed. It also highlights the importance of maintaining adequate financial support for archaeological research in order to preserve and better understand the rich pre-Hispanic heritage of the country.
Let us hope that despite budgetary difficulties, INAH archaeologists will be able to continue their investigations on the site of San Miguel and unravel the mysteries of the fascinating Metzca civilization, thus offering new light on this little-known part of history from pre-Columbian Mexico.
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