The great pyramid of cholula

Due to the pyramid’s hill-like appearance, the Spaniards did not completely destroy it as they did so many other native temples. Instead, they built a church atop it– Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios (“Church of Our Lady of Remedies”)– which still stands today.

Iglesia de nuestra señora de los remedios

The Great Pyramid of Cholula rises over the city, measuring about 66 m in height, with the volcanoes Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl looming over it in the background. The pyramid’s base is 450 x 450 m and its volume is 4.45 million m³ (“Cholula Pyramid”). While the Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt’s largest pyramid, towers at a height of 481 ft., the Great Pyramid of Cholula is almost twice as large by volume (Giza’s volume is 2.5 million m3) (“A Picture Tour”), making it the largest pyramid in the world by volume.

Excavations of the site have led to the creation of over 8 km of underground tunnels, which allow tourists to see the different pyramids constructed over time, as well as the Mural de las mariposas (“Butterfly Mural”) and the Mural de los bebedores de pulque (“Mural of the pulque Pulque , also called octli is a thick, alcoholic beverage made from the maguey plant. drinkers”).

After reading

1. Why does the Great Pyramid of Cholula look like a hill?
2. How old is the pyramid?
3. Why didn’t the Spaniards completely destroy the pyramid? How did they make their presence known instead?
4. What do you think the juxtaposition of the ancient pyramid and the Spanish catholic church represent?
5. Compare and contrast this pyramid with what you already know about other pyramids in Mexico or in Egypt.

Further evaluation

1. Look up other pyramids or archeological sites in Latin America. Choose one and create a research paper or presentation that describes this site. Why is it important? Which native peoples lived in this area? Did it have a specific religious or political significance? How was it affected by the Spanish Conquest? Can people still tour the area? Include images in your report.
2. Research one of the Egyptian pyramids (such as Giza). Write a research paper or create a presentation that compares and contrasts this Egyptian pyramid with the Great Pyramid of Cholula. How do they differ in size? How are they different or similar in appearance? What were their religious purposes? Why do you think they were important to the people living at the time of their construction? Include any other interesting details. Include images with your report.
3. Read Hernán Cortés’ letter to King Charles V. How does Cortés portray the native Cholulans? How does his letter emphasize the conquest mentality? What conclusions can you draw from the letter about the relationship between the Spaniards and the natives? Why did the Spaniards decide to attack the natives? What was the result? What are your thoughts on his descriptions?
4. Research the two volcanoes mentioned in this reading– Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl. What do these names mean? How large are they? Are they active? What is the legend behind them? Present your research as a report or presentation.

Bibliography

Ashwell, Anamaría. “Cholula: qué hay en un nombre?” Elementos 48, 2002-2003. Pp.39-47. (External Link) .

“Cholula.” El Rincón del Vago. (External Link)

“Cholula Pyramid.” Aztec-History.com. (External Link) .

“A Picture Tour of the Great Pyramid of Giza.” Great Pyramid of Giza Research Association. (External Link) .

“Zona Arqueológica de Cholula (R.Angelópolis).” Gobierno de Puebla. (External Link)