Chapter 1: A Pyramid Concealed

Beneath layers of grass, trees, and earth lies an ancient structure of monumental scale. The Great Pyramid of Cholula measures 450 meters in width and reaches a height of 66 meters, making it comparable in size to nine Olympic swimming pools combined.

The building my company occupies has an intriguing backstory. Originally, it served as a hayloft. Picture this: right in the heart of Philadelphia stood a barn-like edifice, complete with a beam overhead for hoisting hay bales. It later transformed into a boxing gym, where an elderly neighbor fondly recounted his childhood visits to watch local fighters spar. Today, it simply serves as a storage facility for cleaning supplies.

What connects this building to a pyramid? Quite a bit, actually. Cultures frequently construct new edifices atop the remnants of the past, often adapting them to new uses. This practice is notably pronounced in Israel, where archaeological discoveries frequently surface during construction projects. For instance, a road construction initiative in 2019 uncovered a five-thousand-year-old mega village in En Esur, built atop an earlier settlement. After excavation, the site was once again buried beneath the new road.

Similarly, the Greek city of Corinth features a canal that traverses the Peloponnese peninsula, nearly resting atop the ancient Diolkos, a causeway that transported twenty-ton vessels across dry land before being obscured by time.

Keeping this in mind, let me introduce you to the world's largest pyramid: the Great Pyramid of Cholula in Mexico. Its formation occurred in stages, much like the history of my warehouse, the Corinthian causeway, and the ancient village in Israel, all of which were eventually covered.

Section 1.1: The Sacred Mountain

According to Zaria Gorvett's article in the BBC, the Great Pyramid of Cholula holds the title of the largest pyramid on the planet, boasting a volume double that of the Great Pyramid of Giza, with a base four times larger. Remarkably, the Spanish conquistadors overlooked it during their invasion of Mexico, instead constructing a church atop the structure. At the time, the pyramid was concealed beneath soil, resembling a large hill.

This is just one phase of a sacred site. As Gorvett notes, the pyramid is a complex of smaller pyramids layered on top of one another. Locally referred to as Tlachihualtepetl, meaning "man-made mountain," it is evident that the indigenous people recognized something sacred lay hidden beneath the earth.

Rachel Funnel from IFL Science highlights the intentional placement of the pyramid over a natural spring, which was accessible via an internal chamber. Some speculate it may have served as a portal to the underworld. Furthermore, archaeologist Geoffrey McCafferty suggests that the pyramid's western side was designed to capture the sun's final rays during the summer solstice.

The pyramid's significance extends beyond these two aspects, as it likely embodies various beliefs from different cultures throughout its history.

Subsection 1.1.1: Layers of History

Funnel draws a comparison between the Great Pyramid of Cholula and traditional Russian Matryoshka dolls, where smaller dolls nest within larger ones. However, in this case, the pyramid reveals most of its layers rather than concealing them.

The core is a square pyramid that once stood nearly sixty feet tall, adorned with paintings believed to depict a butterfly's transformation. Surrounding this are additional pyramids, with the outermost structure reaching over two hundred feet high, featuring steps on each side. The entire temple complex spans nearly twelve hundred feet on each side.

McCafferty notes that tunnels extending five miles allow for entry into the pyramid's interior. The construction materials vary, including mud bricks, plaster, and mortar. It is believed that construction began around 300 BC, though the identity of the builders remains unclear. At some point, the structure was buried, forming the hill we recognize today. Whether this was intentional or due to natural erosion is still a mystery.

By the 1500s, the Aztecs controlled the city of Cholula until Hernan Cortez claimed it for Spain, leading to the massacre of its inhabitants. The pyramid, disguised as an unremarkable hill, remained hidden for centuries until archaeologists unearthed its secrets.

Chapter 2: Civilization's Layers

The tale of the Great Pyramid of Cholula serves as a reminder of how civilizations evolve, often building upon the remnants of their predecessors. As the Greek general Xenophon marched through Persia, he stumbled upon an abandoned city known as Larisa, believed to have been inhabited by the Medes. In reality, it was Calah, the military capital of the Assyrian empire, long forgotten by its descendants.

To truly study history, one must dig deep. Unearth enough soil in the right location, and you may discover remnants of what once was, much like uncovering nested dolls. Perhaps, you may even unearth a massive pyramid lying beneath an unassuming church.

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