Treasures of the ancients
The Aztec, Incan and Mayan empires left behindmagnificent ruins across Mexico, Central and South America, which today provide most of what we know about these fascinating and mysterious civilisations.
Read on to seeinside America's ancient pyramids and temples. From jade death masks to towers of human skulls, discover the treasures and horrors found within...
El Castillo, Chichen Itza, Mexico
Mexico is dotted with incredible ancient Mayan sites, including the renowned Chichen Itza. The political and economic hub of Mayancivilisation between AD 750 and 1100, theextensive ruins offer a unique window intothis mysterious people, most notably their astounding astronomical and mathematical skills. Chichen Itza'sbest-known structure is El Castillo (or Templeof Kukulcan), believed to have been built around AD 1000.
El Castillo, Chichen Itza, Mexico
During restoration work in the 1930s, archaeologists dug into El Castillo's south side and came across the remains ofan older pyramid hidden within. They followedthe staircase upwards thinking they'd reach the older temple's peak, but instead came across a chamber in which they found awell-preserved chac mool (pictured), a Mayan sacrificial stone sculpture.
El Castillo, Chichen Itza, Mexico
The discoveries didn't end there, andcontinued excavation revealed a second chamber just behind the first, which contained thisred jaguar throne. Jade was used for the eyes and green spotswhile the fangs were made of flint, probably positioning it in the Classic period (AD 200-900). Thestriking sculpture may have been used as a throne for the high priest.
Feathered Serpent Pyramid, Teotihuacan, Mexico
Literally translated as 'the place where the gods were created', the pre-Columbian complex atTeotihuacan is the second most visited archaeological site in Mexico behind Chichen Itza. With its ruined palaces and grand pyramids, the sprawling ancient city rises majestically from a vast plain, though we still know remarkably little about who built it, or when and why it was built. Despite its mysterious origins, the site, just to the northeast of Mexico City,is thought to havehad a strong influence on the latter-day Aztecs.
Feathered Serpent Pyramid, Teotihuacan, Mexico
In 2003, excavations at the Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent (also known as the Temple of Quetzalcoatl)wowed the world. The archaeological team uncovered a tunnel (pictured) which had lainundisturbed for 1,800 years. Inside the sealed-off passage were ritual offerings to the gods, including four greenstone statues, hundreds of metal spheres and beetle wings arranged in a box. They even found tiny lakes of liquid mercury– perhaps meant to resemble the underworld.
Feathered Serpent Pyramid, Teotihuacan, Mexico
In past decades, archaeologists at Teotihuacan have found evidence of human sacrifice inside the pyramid. Up to a hundred bound warriors, many wearing tooth-like or actual toothnecklaceslike the one pictured here,are now believed to have died there.
Great Pyramid of Cholula, Puebla, Mexico
Larger than the Great Pyramid of Giza (with almost twice its volume), the Great Pyramid of Cholula is the largest pyramidto survive into the modern age – and iseven larger than those in Egypt. Construction began on the buildingaround200 BC, and the design was perhaps intended to mirrorthe majestic Popocatepetl volcano that sits nearby. At 1,476 feet wide (450m) and 216 feet tall (66m), the epic building was almost completely overgrown by the time the Spanish arrived, and parts of the pyramid are still obscured by grass and soil.
Great Pyramid of Cholula, Puebla, Mexico
Excavations have revealed a tantalisingnetwork of passagewaystotallingfive miles (8km)in length. Archaeologists discovered seashells, altars, ceremonial figurines and the burial placesof unfortunate human sacrifices,which, rather gruesomely, yielded the deformed skulls of two decapitated children.
Great Pyramid of Cholula, Puebla, Mexico
In 1969, archaeologists accidentally discoveredthis muralcalled 'los bebedores'(the drinkers) at a depth of 25 feet (7.5m). Some1,800 years old, the merry scene depicts drunken revelry at a pre-Hispanic ceremony, probablydedicated to the goddess Mayahuel. Deep within the pyramid and hidden from public view, the 200-foot (60m) mural briefly went on display for the first time in2014.
Pyramid of the Niches, El Tajin, Mexico
El Tajin was a pre-Hispanic city, inhabited roughly between AD 600 and1200, whichtemporarily became the most powerful city in Mesoamerica afterthe fall of the Teotihuacan Empire. While the site hasn’t been fully excavated, one of the best-known structures is the Pyramid of the Niches. Its tiers contain 365 symmetrically-arrangedlittle nooks –representing each day in the solar calendar – which may once have contained offerings to the gods.
Pyramid of the Niches, El Tajin, Mexico
El Tajin is also well-known for its elaborate carved stone friezes and panels. Pictured here is a particularly well-preserved section that once supported a portico beneath two pyramidal structures.
Pyramid of the Niches, El Tajin, Mexico
The carved stonesalso adorned the walls of El Tajin'sball courts (the site had 17 that we know of, more than any other known site of this size), and mostly depicted narrative scenes. Pictured here is a tablet purported to depict a ball-player being beheaded– supposedly apunishment for losing the game.It’s even been speculated that the heads were used as balls...
Chan Chan, Peru
Chan Chan, on the northern coast of Peru, was the largest city in pre-Columbian South America during its heyday. The adobe city wasdivided into nine ‘citadels’ or ‘palaces’, eachwith pyramidal temples andfuneraryplatforms enclosed with thick, earthen walls. Once the capital of theChimuEmpire (AD 900-1470), the site'spoor state of repair means thattoday you'll find it on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites in danger.
Chan Chan, Peru
In 2018, some 19 wooden sculptures were discovered along an adobe corridor wall. Each was made from wood with masks made from clay, while some held a sceptre (staff) in one hand and possibly a shield in the other. Roughly 70cm high, the statues were buried over 750 years ago, along with a20th sculpture that hasunfortunately long been destroyed.
Chan Chan, Peru
Then, in July 2022, another wooden sculpture was unearthed. At 47cm tall, this colourful relicdepicts a royal litter-bearerwith a flat red-painted face and prominent nose. Wearing a cap and triangular-cut skirt, its form and art style roughly date it to between850 and 1,470 years ago, makingit one of the oldest sculptures found at the site.
Xunantunich, Belize
One of Belize's top tourist attractions, Xunantunich (‘stone maiden’ in the Mayan language) sits on a levelled hilltop near the Guatemalan border. The ancient city flourished between AD 700 and 1000 – a prettyshort period of prosperity compared to its contemporaries. There are several important structures at the site but the stand-out is El Castillo, previously a temple, residence and hub for theadministrative elite.
Xunantunich, Belize
In 2016,archaeologists uncovered a royal tomb16-24 feet (4.8-7.3m) beneath the ruins–one of the largest burial chambers ever found in Belize. Inside, the team found askeleton buried with jaguar and deer bones, six jade beadsand an assortment of blades and ceramic vessels. Though long thought to be male, recent DNA analysis has revealed that the skeleton inside was in fact a woman.
Xunantunich, Belize
Hieroglyphic panels also found in the tomb depict the history of the ‘snake dynasty’, a ruling family dating from the 7th century AD. One section, dated to 2 December, AD 638, mentions the death of Lady Batz’ Ek’, the mother of Lord K’an II who ruled neighbouring Caracol. It’s thought that after Caracol was defeated in battle years later, the panels weredismantled and reassembledelsewhere. Experts are unsure exactly how or whythe panels appeared at Xunantunich. Who doesn’t love an unsolved mystery?
Templo Mayor, Tenochtitlan, Mexico
Founded in 1325, Tenochtitlan (not to be confused with the aforementioned Teotihuacan)was the capital of the Aztec Empire. Templo Mayor wasits crownjewel. During the Spanish conquest of1521 the templewas destroyed and replaced with a Christian cathedral, but little did anyone know that beneath the structure were at least six earlier versions of the Templo Mayor; eachbuilt on top of the previous one for successive rulers.
Templo Mayor, Tenochtitlan, Mexico
This large stone relief of Coyolxauhqui (an Aztec goddess) found at the siteweighs eighttonnes and was likely carved in the 15th century.Other discoveries include incense burners, vessels containing cremated remains andHuey Tzompantli: a terrifying tower of more than600 human skulls, including those of children. It is thought that there are six more of these fearsome structures in Tenochtitlan…
House of the Eagles, Tenochtitlan, Mexico
Immediately beside Templo Mayor liesthe smaller House of the Eagles, once a meeting place for the fearsome eagle and jaguar warriors, the two most important ranks in the Aztec military. Two extraordinary figures were excavated here; the eagle warrior in this image stood in the doorway, serving as a guardian figure, and was once brightly painted and covered in feathers.
House of the Eagles, Tenochtitlan, Mexico
At a second doorway stood thissix-foot(1.8m)statue of Mictlantecutli, the god of the underworld, who would have had hair or paper decorations fixed onto hishead. An intimidating figure, his lipless mouth is fixed in a pained grimace, while his exposed ribcage and raised, clawed hands would be enough to frighten any interloper.
Caracol, Belize
Known as Uxwitza ('three water hill') to its Mayan inhabitants, Caracol (Spanish for snail shell) was renamed after the curving road that leads up to the site. A crucial centre of Mayan power, at its height Caracol was significantly more populous than any modern Belizean city, and covered a much larger area than current capital Belmopan. The Caracol royal dynasty was founded in AD 331and the city was at its strongest between AD 550 and 900, but was mysteriously abandoned in1050 before beinggradually reclaimed by the jungle.
Caracol, Belize
Caana ('sky place', pictured) is the most famous building here, with four palaces and three temples. Its name is still fitting centuries later – at 141 feet (42m) high, it remainsthe tallest building in Belize. Hundreds of royal and non-elite tombs have been discovered around the site over decades of excavations, with some yielding painted texts and hieroglyphics. One remarkably intact tomb dating to AD 634 belonged to a royal female, who was buried with jade itemsincluding earrings and other jewellery.
Caracol, Belize
There’s also a hoard of carved stelae (inscribed stone slabs) strewn across the site. These ‘tree stones’ depictstories fromMayan culture, ranging from royal life to warfare. The last recorded date found onthese mighty stonesis 22 January, AD 859.
Tikal, Guatemala
Hidden in the depths of thePeten rainforest, the legendary pyramids of Tikal were builtbetween AD 300 and 900. The ancient Mayan city was then known as Yax Mutal, and was among themost powerful kingdoms ever to exist inMesoamerica. Amongthe 4,000 structures found here aresix magnificent temples, as well as plazas andpyramids pluscopious Mayan art and hieroglyphics.
Tikal, Guatemala
Taken in 1961, this image shows archaeologist Aubrey Trik inside 'the Painted Tomb' in Tikal's North Acropolis. The painted glyphs he's examining recorda date of9.1.1.10.10. in the Mayan calendar, which corresponds to 18 March, AD 457. The larger glyphs either side of the date are more mysterious, and probably refer to people or places.
Tikal, Guatemala
Two teenage skeletons and a headless male skeleton (almost certainly sacrificial victims) were found inside the Painted Tomb, alongsiderich offerings like thispolished black vesselwith carved and incised design panels. Other beautiful vessels found here featurebird-themed designs with modelled heads for handles and painted stucco (a type of plastering). Some were carefully wrapped with cotton cloth.
Temple of the Inscriptions, Palenque, Mexico
One of the best-known monuments inthe Mayan world and among thelargest of theMesoamerican stepped pyramids, the Temple of the Inscriptions ('House of the Nine Sharpened Spears' in the original Mayan) sits atop a 65-foot-high (19m), nine-tierpyramid. It gets its modern name fromits inner temple walls,which are covered with a patchwork of carvedinscriptions. The colossalcomplex liesin the ancient city of Palenque, which the Mayans knew as Lakamha('Big Waters').
Temple of the Inscriptions, Palenque, Mexico
Deep inside the temple was King Pakal’s funeral chamber. The Mayan ruler of Palenque was 12 years old when he came to powerand reigned for a then-unprecedented 68 years. He was buried here in AD 683 but, interestingly, his mighty sarcophagus was wider than the passageway to his chamber, suggesting that the temple may have been built up around his tomb. The stone coffin lid (pictured) was a single slab with carvings depicting Pakal en route to the underworld.
Temple of the Inscriptions, Palenque, Mexico
The most incredible discoveries were found inside his coffin– bestof all thisunforgettable death mask made of jade, surely one of the most striking pieces ever unearthed in Central America. The deceased king symbolicallyheld a small cube in one hand and a sphere in the other. Some believe that during the winter solstice, a small slitin the templeallowed sunlight to shine directly onto his coffin.
Now discover what the inside of Egypt'spyramids really looked like
