THE PYRAMIDS OF MEXICO.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 162, 11 July 1934, Page 20

THE PYRAMIDS OF MEXICO.

(By Tim Gill, 38, Taumata Road, Sandriugham ; age 17.)

About thirty miles from Mexico City, near a village called San Juan Teotihuaean,, are two remarkable ancient pyramids, the origin of which is still almost a complete mystery. The larger of the two,, which stands over 200 feet high and measures over 700 feet square at the base, is called the "Pyramid of the Sun." | About'half a' mile away is a much smaller one, called the '•Pyramid of the Moon." Instead of being pointed at the summit, both these pyramids end in curious oblong" terraces, and it is believed that a .magnificent temple once stood on the top of the "Pyramid of the Sun." Though* only about half as high as the "Great Pyramid of Egypt," the pyramid is said almost' to' equal it in volume.

Archaeologists estimate that the Mexican pyramids -were built in the sixth century 8.C., or even earlier, and some say they were the work of the Tlachichiques, "a highly cultured ancient people who have left mighty monuments of their civilisation in many parts of Mexico. But who these Tlachichiques were, and whence they came, is a riddleno one as yet has succeeded in solving. Mexico is full of mysterious ruins, and near the "Pyramid of the Sun" thousands of little- terracotta heads have been found in what appear to be a graveyard. No two are alike; some resemble Kgyptian types and. some Mongolian. They are supposed to be effigies of dead priests and kings.