Mexico earthquake leads to discovery of ancient Aztec temple

Mexican archaeologists got a surprise from the earthquake leads to a discovery of ancient Aztec temple, BBC reports. The temple is nestled inside the Teopanzolco pyramid in Morelos state.

The discovery was made when scientists from Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) used a radar to check for structural damage to the Teopanzolco pyramid in Cuernavaca. According to the archaeologist Barbara Koniecza, the 7.1-magnitude earthquake which hit Mexico last September, caused considerable damage to Teopanzolco and allowed the scientists to discover ancient Aztec temple. It is thought to date back to 1150 and to belong to the Tlahuica culture, one of the Aztec peoples living in central Mexico.

The structure is dedicated to Tláloc, or “He who makes things sprout”, the Aztec rain god. Mexican god was a very important deity to the Aztecs, he was both revered and feared. The archaeologists said the newly-discovered temple have measured 6m by 4m. Among the temple’s remains, INAH experts also found an incense burner and ceramic shards.

So far, the archaeologists’ team continues to work on the place of Aztec temple, which beautifully nestled inside the Teopanzolco pyramid in Morelos state, 70km south of Mexico City.