The world's largest pyramid isn't actually in Egypt like everyone thought

Where do you think the world's largest pyramid is located? The first thing that might come to your mind is Egypt. After all, the Egyptian pyramids are world-famous, and some people even wonder if they were built by aliens (they weren't). However, the world's largest pyramid is not located in the desert, far from it.

The Great Pyramid of Cholula

The Great Pyramid of Cholula is hidden in Mexico, on the archaeological site of San Pedro Cholula. Also called Tlachihualtepetl ('artificial mountain' or 'man-made mountain'), it is said to be the largest pyramid ever built by man.

Its dimensions are therefore colossal, it is estimated to be 450 metres wide and 66 metres high. By way of comparison, the pyramid of Cholula's base is four times larger than the Great Pyramid of Giza as well as almost twice its volume. Of course, the Egyptian pyramid is higher, but in terms of volume, the Cholula pyramid beats it hands down!

A vast hidden monument

A monument of this size should not go unnoticed, right? Think again, the (re)discovery of the great pyramid of Cholula is rather recent! According to Arkeonews:

Nobody knew it was a pyramid until locals started building an insane asylum in 1910, according to legend. It was certainly a thousand years old and completely hidden by vegetation by the time Cortéz and his men arrived.

Its construction was gradual and would have started in the 2nd century BC. At the time, this Aztec pyramid had a religious function: it was dedicated to the god Quetzacoatl!

This article was translated from Gentside FR.

Sources used:

-Arkeonews: The World’s Largest Pyramid Is Hidden Within a Hill in Mexico

-BBC: The giant pyramid hidden inside a mountain

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