A Giant Pyramid Puzzle in Mexico: The Mystery of Toniná

Just over 10 years ago, researchers in Mexico discovered an enormous pyramid of the Maya civilisation, Tonina, located in western Chiapas. The pyramid had been concealed under what was long believed to be a natural hill for around 1,700 years, and it turned out to be the largest pyramid in Mexico, even taller than the incredible Teotihuacan Pyramid of the Sun. It’s a seven-tiered platform stands at 246 feet in height, an acropolis that covers 6 hectares and is rises high above a plaza below. The entire urban nucleus covers a massive 12 hectares and its full extent is still unknown. Literally hundreds of structures still remain buried beyond the main acropolis. On removing the earth and vegetation from what was thought to be a natural hill, it was clear that this was no natural structure and three-dimensional scans revealed one of the largest man-made structures in Mesoamerica. It was far bigger than the experts expected and they also discovered that is was connected to other pyramid sites by hilltop roads It was a single structure with various specific functions for the city’s social, political, economic and religious structure, which is not seen in any other archaeological zone of the Maya world. But it’s more than just a pyramid, being encoded with sacred numbers of the Ancient Maya with bizarre patterns, friezes and symbolism and its history is shrouded in mystery,. Watch this video to learn more about this incredible ancient pyramid. All images are taken from Google Images and the incredible sources listed below. Excellent sources to read: Music Credit: Ambiment - The Ambient by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. Source: Artist: