Secrets from the Pyramid of the Moon

Unlike the Egyptian pyramids, the structure known as the "Pyramid of the Moon" in the ancient city of Teōtīhuacān is not simply a tomb, according to new research cited by Heritage Daily .

The Pyramid of the Moon was built during Phase II (100–350 AD) of the Teōtīhuacān capital, which saw a population boom and a series of notable constructions.

The Pyramid of the Sun, the Avenue of the Dead, the Temple of Quetzalcoatl... were also built during this time. After more than 1,900 years, all still stand tall in the middle of the ancient city.

A new study by Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), in collaboration with the University of Tepeyac and the National School of Anthropology and History (ENAH), has uncovered a new secret of the Pyramid of the Moon: It marks the astronomical orientation axis of Teōtīhuacān.

The pyramid's vertices are aligned northeast with the time of sunrise on the summer solstice and southwest with the time of sunset on the winter solstice.

On the longest day of the year (Summer Solstice), from the top of the Moon Pyramid, the Sun will appear at dawn over Xihuingo volcano, long known as an observatory for calibrating the calendar.

The volume of this building also conforms to certain cosmological proportions, while its facade combined with the facades of several other buildings creates the image of a vertical axis.

The layout of the entire urban area also shows correspondence with several astronomical criteria, suggesting that in addition to the Pyramid of the Moon, several other structures may have been part of a large network-like observatory.

This discovery adds to the growing body of evidence showing what an incredible civilization the Toltecs - the owners of the ancient city of Teōtīhuacān - had.

Previously, in 2018, another INAH survey discovered another secret underground chamber beneath the Pyramid of the Moon, containing the remains of people with deformed skulls.

This may represent a brutal ancient ritual that scientists still do not fully understand.