Although the Pyramid of Giza is a remarkable ancient structure that rightfully holds the title of the Great Pyramid of Egypt, it is not the “greatest” pyramid in existence.
In fact, there are several other massive pyramids scattered across the world that, like the Great Pyramid of Giza, are testament to the ingenuity and architectural skill of our ancestors.
The Pyramid of Cholula, located in Mexico, has been hidden at the bottom of a mountain for hundreds of years. Covered by grass, trees, deep layers of soil and hidden from modern society. This pyramid is said to be the most massive structure ever built on the surface of our planet – with a base four times the size of the Great Pyramid of Giza, it is as big as nine Olympic swimming pools. Researchers still don’t know who built this massive structure, but there are legends that it was erected by giants.
On top of the mountain, the Spanish Conquistadors led by Hernan Cortes, built a small church without knowing that underneath it was a huge pyramid like no other on Earth.
In fact, it wasn’t until 1910 that the Great Pyramid of Cholula was discovered. There are those who believe that the Great Pyramid of Cholula was so sacred and important to the ancient Cholula people that they purposely covered it with earth to hide it from Spanish conquerors.
If the sheer size of the Great Pyramid of Cholula isn’t fascinating enough, then the fact that this structure is not a single pyramid, but six structures built on top of each other certainly should be. Researchers estimate that the structure grew in different stages as different ancient civilizations improved various parts of it, and that it was built around 300 BC.
There are still many mysteries about the Pyramid. David Carballo, an archaeologist at Boston University, Massachusetts, says ‘It appears to have been multiethnic, with a large migration.’