On September 19 , 2017 , a order of magnitude 7.1 earthquake strike central Mexico , killing almost 370 people . But something good has come from this tragical event : The quake damage an ancient pyramid , uncover a antecedently unsung Aztec tabernacle underneath .
While checking for structural damage inflicted by the 2017 earthquake , archaeologists with Mexico ’s National Institute of Anthropology and History ( INAH ) made a remarkable discovery : a temple site about six feet ( two meters ) below the top of the Teopanzolco pyramid , a structure the Aztecs dedicate to Tláloc , the Aztec rain god . It was not rare for ancient culture to build upon old structures , but in this typeface , the archaeologist had no idea a temple was located within .
While performing their view , the INAH archaeologists point out that some stone on the top of the pyramid were loose . The hidden temple revealed itself as the scientist were search for firmer terrain .
The newly let out temple measures about 20 foot by 13 metrical foot ( 6 m x 4 m ) , and it date back to the Middle Postclassic period , sometime between 1150 to 1200 advert . The temple was built by the Tlahuica civilisation , one of several Aztec peoples living in central Mexico shortly before and during the time of the Spanish conquest , which started in 1521 . The tabernacle and the Teopanzolco pyramid build up upon it , which date back to about 1300 AD , are located in Morelos state , about 43 mile ( 70 klick ) south of Mexico City . The newly discovered temple is quite mayhap the oldest grounds of human line of work at the Morelos site — an important finding that represents a very early stage of the Aztec menstruation .
“ Despite what the quake think of , we have to be grateful that this natural phenomenon reveal this crucial structure , which modify the dating of this archeologic site , ” said Isabel Campos Goenaga , film director of the INAH Morelos Center , at a wardrobe conference support before this week .
The wall of the temple were find next to the stiff of a stuccoed column that once patronize a roof . Intense humidity has obliterated most of the stucco wall , but the archeologist managed to salvage some sherd for study . The INAH archeologist say it likely represents the first constructive form of the Teopanzolco pyramid , predating the celebrated Templo Mayor , which date stamp back to the Late Postclassic point ( 1200 to 1521 AD ) .
“ The home synagogue that we find out in that gumption is the oldest at the pyramid of Teopanzolco , ” explain INAH archaeologist Barbara Koniecza . “ We have already discover two building point , and where we stomach is consider to be built in the former phase before the second phase of the Templo Mayor . ”
Sadly , the 7.1 magnitude earthquake damaged the Teopanzolco pyramid , along with two temples . The floor of both shrine have drop down , and are now strain , make the structures potentially mentally ill . More body of work is want to assess the damage and to organize likely restoration strategies . Until then , the site , which has been close to the world since last September , will remain off demarcation to holidaymaker .
[ National Institute of Anthropology and chronicle , BBC , ABC ]
EarthquakespyramidsScience
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