Researchers confirm that recently discovered Tonina Pyramid is Largest Pyramid in Mexico
It
was just over five years ago that researchers in Mexico discovered an
enormous pyramid of the Maya civilization in Toniná, Chiapas. The fact
that the pyramid had remained concealed under what was believed to be a
natural hill for around 1,700 years is truly incredible, particularly
considering that it has been confirmed as the largest pyramid in Mexico
and is even taller than Teotihuacan’s enormous Pyramid of the Sun.
The pyramid, which measures 75 meters (246 feet) in height, was first excavated by archaeologists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) in 2010.
La Jornada reports that it was found during explorations of the acropolis of Toniná in what is now the Mexican state of Chiapas. The archaeological site of Toniná sits on a platform covering 6 hectares and consists of seven terraces on the north side of the platform which rise above a plaza. Social, political, economic, and religious structures were constructed on the terraces, including housing, administrative units, and groups of temple-pyramids. There is also a ballgame court at the site, and over 100 carved monuments dating from the 6th to the 9th centuries AD.
Toniná has been described as an aggressive state that used warfare to develop a powerful kingdom that rivalled Palenque. Toniná eventually became the dominant city in the west of the Maya region.
Emiliano Gallaga, director of the archaeological zone, told La Jornada that the pyramid was covered in vegetation and was initially believed to be a natural hill. However, exploration of the site soon revealed that the structure was almost entirely man-made, constructed by the ancient Maya inhabitants of Toniná.
Three-dimensional scanning of the pyramid revealed that it was “one of the largest constructions in Mesoamerica, comparable in size only to great Mayan cities like Tikal and El Mirador in Guatemala,” said Gallaga. “Toniná is bigger than we suspected. The pyramids are connected by roads located on top of the surrounding elevations.”
By April Holloway
http://www.ancient-origins.net
The pyramid, which measures 75 meters (246 feet) in height, was first excavated by archaeologists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) in 2010.
La Jornada reports that it was found during explorations of the acropolis of Toniná in what is now the Mexican state of Chiapas. The archaeological site of Toniná sits on a platform covering 6 hectares and consists of seven terraces on the north side of the platform which rise above a plaza. Social, political, economic, and religious structures were constructed on the terraces, including housing, administrative units, and groups of temple-pyramids. There is also a ballgame court at the site, and over 100 carved monuments dating from the 6th to the 9th centuries AD.
Toniná has been described as an aggressive state that used warfare to develop a powerful kingdom that rivalled Palenque. Toniná eventually became the dominant city in the west of the Maya region.
The Acropolis of Toniná, occupying seven terraces upon a hillside. (Wikimedia Commons)
Emiliano Gallaga, director of the archaeological zone, told La Jornada that the pyramid was covered in vegetation and was initially believed to be a natural hill. However, exploration of the site soon revealed that the structure was almost entirely man-made, constructed by the ancient Maya inhabitants of Toniná.
Three-dimensional scanning of the pyramid revealed that it was “one of the largest constructions in Mesoamerica, comparable in size only to great Mayan cities like Tikal and El Mirador in Guatemala,” said Gallaga. “Toniná is bigger than we suspected. The pyramids are connected by roads located on top of the surrounding elevations.”
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The scale of the pyramid at Tonina is comparable
in size only to the great Maya cities of Guatemala, such as Tikal.
Pictured here, the central acropolis at Tikal. Image Source: Simon
Danhauer / Fotolia
Gallaga added that, after evaluating all the information gathered
from exploratory studies, it can be confirmed that the pyramid exceeds
the height of the Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan, which previously
held the position as the tallest pyramid in Mexico at 65 meters (213
feet) in height.
Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan (Wikimedia Commons)
Featured image: Overview of the northern part of the acropolis of Tonina, Chiapas Photo DMC INAH / H. MontañoBy April Holloway
http://www.ancient-origins.net
