Mexican pyramid has two more inside, scientists discover

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Agence France-Presse

Kukulkan pyramid built like Russian nesting doll a second structure had already been found under its exterior and now a third has been revealed




The Kukulkan pyramid has two more nested inside, archaeologists have discovered. Photograph: Alamy Stock Photo


Agence France-Presse in Mexico City
Wednesday 16 November 2016 19.52 EST


Experts have discovered a third structure within the Kukulkan pyramid in eastern Mexico, revealing that it was built like a Russian nesting doll, experts said on Wednesday.

A 10m tall pyramid was found within another 20m structure, which itself is enveloped by the 30m exterior visible at the Mayan archeological complex known as Chichen Itza in Yucatan state.

The smallest pyramid was built between the years 550 and 800, engineers and anthropologists said.

The middle structure had already been discovered in the 1930s and dates back to the years 800-1,000 while the largest one was finished between 1050-1300.

Kukulkan pyramid built like Russian nesting doll a second structure had already been found under its exterior and now a third has been revealed.



Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/17/mexican-pyramid-has-two-more-inside-scientists-discover

[MADem]

1. Seems like a rather overblown way to store that grain, eh?

What's good for Egypt is good for Mexico, after all...yeah?

[Judi Lynn]

11. In Mexico, they stored corn in their pyramids, sometimes rice. Maybe pinatas, too. n/t

[Judi Lynn]

2. Mayan 'nesting doll pyramid' discovered in Mexico

Mayan 'nesting doll pyramid' discovered in Mexico

18 minutes ago



AP
Researchers used 3D imaging to illustrate their find


A third structure has been found within the famous Kukulkan pyramid in eastern Mexico, experts say.

The 10m (33t) tall pyramid was found within two other structures that comprise the 30m pyramid at the Mayan archaeological complex known as Chichen Itza in Yucatan state.

The discovery suggests that the pyramid was built in three phases.

The Mayan civilisation occupied Central America and had its peak around the 6th Century AD.



More:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-38008546

[pkdu]

3. Our guide at Chichen Itza , two years ago , told us this existed , and each layer was built after

the completion of a 52-year Mayan calendar cycle.

Or was he just guessing?

[burrowowl]

4. K&R!!!!!!

[suffragette]

5. I traveled there years ago. There was a massive thunderstorm and a group of us

Made our way from the ball court to the pyramid hoping to shelter inside. It was already full so we stood just outside the entrance and were lashed with rain while lightning lit the darkened sky.
Once the rain let up, some people came out and we went inside. It was very humid and quite slick.

A couple people braved walking up the outside although it was also wet and slippery. I wasn't one of them.

[Hortensis]

9. Me also, although unfortunately what sticks most vividly at that

particular site was believing I was being stalked while walking under some trees by a couple of monkeys. They sometimes attacked people, though I believe most have been removed from visitor sites by now. In any case, couldn't get back in the open fast enough.

Very sadly, I ever went to the top of any of them, as I'd expected to. I wanted to see their world as the priests were privileged to. I have a phobia about falling, though, and the sides of those things are much steeper than I'd realized they'd be. The one I went halfway up (before realizing it'd take me forever to get down from the top) I had to descend on my hands and knees while people trotted past me. Very embarrassing.

This is wonderful to hear about, Judi Lynn. Thank you!

[suffragette]

10. I descended that inside one slowly and step by step, still sliding at points.

My legs were cramping badly hallway through and, yes, it was embarrassing for me as well. I was young and in good shape then, but the combo of height and slippery uneven narrow steps did me in.

I did make it up the smaller outside one that had the Chac Mool. And I took my time again getting back down that one.

I get what you mean about the monkeys.

At my hotel, I heard a splash and thought the egret or crane I had seen earlier might have caught a fish. I stepped out on the balcony and looked below to see an enormous crocodile splashing and twisting in the water. Never has a good-sized concrete balcony felt so insubstantial.

[Hortensis]

12. "I have a feeling we're not in Kansas any more." :)

Although these days Kansans are in great danger from enormous crocodiles also...

Anyway, you do make me feel glad I didn't make it to the top. Didn't consider that the inside might be even worse.

[suffragette]

13. Going up was easy. Coming back down was hard.

Being soaked from the rain and with everyone dripping on the steps was a strong factor in how slippery it was.

So glad I went there, though. The observatory reminded me of the one at Griffith Park, though built so many years earlier.

Did you go to Balancanche cave? It is one of the beautiful sights I have seen.

[Nitram]

6. I believe there are other examples of this. They built a bigger, better using the older one

as a foundation.

[tavernier]

8. Early example of recycling.

We are going to Tulum next week via cruise ship. I'll have to ask the guide whether the same is true of that structure.

[geek tragedy]

7. very typical of how the Mayans built their temples. nt