ADVERTISEMENT

The world's largest pyramid is not in Egypt

Go to Puebla, Mexico and look for a giant hill with a church on top. What you’re seeing is no ordinary hill. It’s actually the world’s largest pyramid.

No one knows who constructed it 2,300 years ago or if they knew the clay they used would help plants hide it from view. But one thing is certain, it was ridiculously hard to find. Cortés missed it when he invaded Cholula in 1519 and locals didn’t re-discover it until 1910.

ADVERTISEMENT

Today, it’s still the largest monument ever constructed and is similar in structure to the Pyramid of the Sun. It’s about 9 Olympic swimming pools long and 1.3 pools tall and has almost twice the volume of the Great Pyramid of Giza, and a base that’s 4 times as large.

Archeologists have uncovered over 400 human burials in and around the pyramid, which suggests it was an important place of worship. But, experts say it was abandoned sometime in the 7th or 8th century. Today, it’s an attraction for tourists with a keen eye.

Produced by Keegan Larwin. Original reporting by Jessica Orwig.

ADVERTISEMENT

This video was originally published on September 13, 2016.

FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Recommended articles

US troop withdrawal from Niger hangs in the balance

US troop withdrawal from Niger hangs in the balance

Detained Binance executives sue Nigerian authorities for human right violation

Detained Binance executives sue Nigerian authorities for human right violation

Nigeria's central bank increases minimum capital base for banks

Nigeria's central bank increases minimum capital base for banks

Sony’s creators convention redefines the creative landscape for content creators

Sony’s creators convention redefines the creative landscape for content creators

Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa ranked as Africa's most polluted countries in new report

Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa ranked as Africa's most polluted countries in new report

10 African countries with the lowest life expectancy according to the World Bank

10 African countries with the lowest life expectancy according to the World Bank

Kenyan women are more obese than their men - here’s why

Kenyan women are more obese than their men - here’s why

Africa’s richest man Dangote stands between Europe and $17 billion in revenue

Africa’s richest man Dangote stands between Europe and $17 billion in revenue

After months of exchanging blows, Kenya and Uganda takes steps towards resolution

After months of exchanging blows, Kenya and Uganda takes steps towards resolution

ADVERTISEMENT