Great Pyramid of Cholula

300 BCE - 800 CE

c. 300 BCE to 800 CE

Temple platform

The Mural of the Drinkers

Discovered accidentally in 1969 at a depth of 7.6 meters, the Mural of the Drinkers is one of Mexico's longest pre-Columbian murals, stretching 57 meters. It depicts a ritual feast where 110 figures, many wearing zoomorphic masks and turbans, are shown drinking what is believed to be pulque. The scene is remarkably detailed, showing participants in various states of relaxation, including activities like serving, drinking, and even vomiting. The mural is divided into six sections, likely the work of different artists, and represents the oldest known depiction of the ritual of the pulque gods.

The Ritual Courtyard of the Altars

Adjoining the south side of the pyramid is the Courtyard of the Altars, a large open area measuring 70 by 54 meters. This complex served as the main access to the pyramid and was likely used for spectacular public ceremonies and rites associated with the transfer of power. It is named for several unique altars found within, including Altar 1, a 3.85-meter vertical stone, and Altar 2, a horizontal pedestal decorated with feathered serpents. The courtyard's surrounding platforms were built up over six construction phases, gradually encroaching on the central space and increasing the platform height.

The Altar of the Sculpted Skulls

Located in the northeast patio area, the Altar of the Sculpted Skulls is a Postclassic mausoleum containing the remains of a man and a woman. The altar is named for three human skulls made of clay and covered in stucco that ornament the structure. The male skeleton was found with rich grave goods, including ritual vessels, obsidian arrowheads, and a musical instrument, suggesting he was a renowned warrior. The female was accompanied by domestic items like bone needles and spindles. A jawbone of a xoloitzcuintle dog was also present, intended to guide the deceased through the underworld.

Colonial Church and Religious Continuity

In 1594, Spanish colonists constructed the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios directly atop the pyramid, which by then was overgrown and resembled a natural hill. This practice of building Catholic sites over indigenous temples was common to co-opt the existing religious significance of the location. The pyramid remains a major pilgrimage site today; the Virgin of the Remedies replaced the pre-Hispanic rain goddess Chiucnāuhquiyahuitl, but the traditional veneration date of September 8 was maintained. This religious continuity has preserved the site's sacred status while simultaneously preventing full archaeological excavation of the pyramid's exterior.

Evidence of Human Sacrifice and Burials

Excavations have uncovered over 400 human burials within the Great Pyramid complex, many dating to the Postclassic period after the temple's primary use had ceased. These findings include evidence of human sacrifice, such as decapitated victims and mangled body parts. Notably, the remains of eight individuals, including children deposited in ceramic pots, were found under the flooring of the Courtyard of Altars. These children are interpreted as messengers to the rain god Tlaloc, likely offered during a period of severe drought. Another 46 disarticulated individuals were discovered near a southwest plaza altar.

Six Superimposed Architectural Layers

The pyramid was not built in a single event but consists of six superimposed structures, each representing a different period of ethnic dominance. Construction began in the 3rd century BC and continued through the 9th century AD, gradually building up the bulk of the 'hand-made mountain.' The earliest phase, known as La Conejera, dates to approximately 200 BC and features a simple adobe core. Later expansions, such as the Pyramid of the Painted Skulls and the Pyramid of the Nine Stories, eventually buried these older structures within their massive adobe cores.

Adobe Brick and Talud-Tablero Engineering

The foundation and core of the pyramid were primarily constructed using sun-dried adobe bricks. These bricks were reinforced with ceramic fragments, obsidian, and gravel to improve compaction and structural integrity. Architecturally, the site is noted for its use of the talud-tablero style, which features sloping walls (taluds) topped by rectangular panels (tableros). This style links Cholula closely to the great metropolis of Teotihuacan, though the site also exhibits Gulf Coast influences, particularly from El Tajín, seen in its specific molding designs and decorative stone mosaics.

Eight-Kilometer Underground Labyrinth

Because the colonial church atop the pyramid is a protected monument, archaeologists could not fully excavate the structure from the surface. Instead, they explored the interior by digging an extensive network of tunnels, which reached a total length of approximately 8.0 kilometers (5 miles) by 1954. These tunnels, initiated by architect Ignacio Marquina in 1931, utilized mining techniques including miniature coal cars to remove debris. Today, 800 meters of these well-lit passages are open to the public, allowing visitors to view internal staircases and buried substructures without disturbing the surface.