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The Mountain Made by Hand<\/h1>\n
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By Davis Church, Jo\u00e3o Gasparian, Jagger Stachtiaris, Roshan Gopal, Varun Gupta, Shaye Kirman, Thierry Lawrence, Evan Song, Derek Tang, and Chance Nalley<\/p>\n
New York City, NY, United States<\/p>\n
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A fascinating archaeological site, a beautiful tourist destination, and an architectural marvel, the Great Pyramid of Cholula is a place where history comes to life. Called Tlachihualtepetl<\/em>, \u201chandmade mountain,\u201d in the native Nahuatl language, the pyramid was built over several centuries by multiple civilizations in what is now the city of Cholula, Mexico<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Archaeologists believe three pre-Columbian societies constructed this temple as a focal point for religious rituals, ceremonies, and offerings to the gods. Believed to have been dedicated to the deity Quetzalcoatl, its use aligns with many religious practices typical of cultures of the region.<\/p>\n More than just an impressive building, the pyramid was the heart of a thriving population center. Some records suggest that, at its peak, Cholula housed 100,000 residents, making it one of the largest Mesoamerican cities of its era, comparable to ancient Athens or Jerusalem. Today, tucked into la zona arqueologica de Cholula<\/em> (\u201carchitectural zone of Cholula”), the temple stands watch over the longest continuously inhabited city in North America.<\/p>\n A Colossal Monument<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Though it may look like a natural hill, the Great Pyramid of Cholula is the most volumetric human-made pyramid in the world. The temple rises only to a height of approximately 66 meters (m) or 217 feet (ft.), but its base measures an impressive 450 by 450 m (1,476 by 1,476 ft.). This massive base area sets it apart from other pyramids and accounts for its estimated volume of 4.45 million cubic meters (around 157 million cubic feet). Comparatively, the Great Pyramid of Giza has a volume of just 2.6 million cubic meters (around 92 million cubic feet). The following table shows how the pyramid at Cholula stacks up to other impressive structures.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Historians estimate that the construction of the Great Pyramid of Cholula began more than 2,000 years ago, around 300 BCE. Although it\u2019s not clear what inspired the original builders, its base design is similar to the architecture of neighboring cultures. Over the following centuries, the Olmecs and Toltecs contributed additional layers that rose from the foundation, eventually forming the final structure around 1200 CE.<\/p>\n The pyramid’s spiritual significance is deeply rooted in the beliefs of Mesoamerican civilizations. The monumental edifice acted as a gateway to the heavens, where societies honored gods and communed with ancestors. Over time, however, as Cholula\u2019s political authority waned, the temple became overgrown with vegetation. Its original purpose disappeared underneath soil and debris.<\/p>\n With the invasion of Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century, the pyramid’s destiny shifted. They constructed the Iglesia de Nuestra Se\u00f1ora de los Remedios<\/em> (\u201cChurch of Our Lady of the Remedies\u201d) on top of what they mistakenly assumed was a hill. This act obscured an important part of Cholula’s Indigenous cultural heritage.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Legacy<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The Great Pyramid of Cholula is now a popular site for tourists, drawing over 200,000 visitors annually. Many are pilgrims visiting the Catholic church at its summit, while others are simply there to gaze in awe upon a vast ancient ruin.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, few visitors to the site have a full understanding of its spiritual and historical significance. Recent initiatives to acknowledge the temple’s Indigenous origins signal an increasing acknowledgment of its heritage. Too often Indigenous history is overlooked, but this remarkable structure serves as a reminder of the contributions and achievements of Mexico’s first peoples.<\/p>\n Have a suggestion for this story? We\u2019d love for you to\u00a0submit it<\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Cholula-Mexico-GMS.png” alt=”stilt fisherman in Sri Lanka” title_text=”Cholula Mexico GMS” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Cholula-Mexico-GMS-carved-rock.png” alt=”Goats climbing argan trees in Morocco” title_text=”Cholula Mexico GMS carved rock” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Blank” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_css_main_element=”display: none; ” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Blank<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Math Resources” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Sample Problems for Elementary School:<\/p>\n Sample Problems for Middle School:<\/p>\n Sample Problems for High School:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Social Justice Questions” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Explore Further” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Share Your Story” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Mexico-Cholula-GMS-table-copy.png\")
Ancient Origins<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Cholula-Mexico-Spanish-iglesia-GMS-.png\")
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