A pre-Columbian pyramid partially collapsed at the Ihuatzio Archaeological Zone in Michoacán, Mexico after heavy downpours around Lake Pátzcuaro, international news outlets reported.
The collapse occurred due to rainwater seeping into cracks caused by high temperatures and prolonged droughts, according to Mexico’s Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH).
The pre-Columbian pyramid, built over 1,100 years ago by the ancestors of the Purépecha people, has stood intact for centuries.
The Purépecha, a prominent indigenous community from northwestern Michoacán, rose to become the second-largest culture in Mesoamerica after defending themselves against Aztecs and Spanish colonizers.
The collapse is significant as the Purépecha left no written records, making structures like this pyramid essential for reconstructing their history.
Archaeologists believe this pyramid was used for human sacrifices to Curicaueri, the “Great Fire” deity linked to victory and sunlight.
Located just over four miles south of Tzintzuntzan, the Ihuatzio Archaeological Zone was a place of worship and astronomy.
Built on an artificially raised plateau, the site dates back to around 900 C.E.
A member from INAH’s Michoacán Center confirmed damage to at least six stepped bodies on the pyramid’s southern base, affecting both its exterior and interior.
Descendants of the Purépecha view the collapse as a supernatural sign, likening it to events preceding the arrival of conquistadors, which were seen as omens of doom in their worldview.
The INAH has initiated damage assessment activities, focusing on recovering the affected part and thoroughly repairing the structure.
The pyramid was insured with Agroasemex Insurance Company, which has been notified to begin the process of securing funds for the restoration.
INAH plans to employ professionals from various disciplines to ensure a successful repair, learning from past attempts to restore similar structures.