An unexpected halt in construction along the Pachuca-Huejutla highway near Hidalgo, Mexico, has led to a fascinating discovery. Workers stumbled upon a remarkable pyramid dating back approximately 1,375 years during the height of the Metzca lordship. This find has not only disrupted the construction timeline but has also opened up a world of archaeological exploration.

Uncover the Mysterious Past Along the Highway

Discovery and Initial Findings

In early June, road crews working on the Pachuca-Huejutla highway came across evidence of the "San Miguel" site. Archeologists immediately began excavating portions of this site, which consisted of five sectors with at least ten mounds. By the end of their dig, a remarkable 155 artifacts such as shells, ceramics, and stone materials were recovered. Additionally, evidence of charcoal, charred wood, and lime floors was noted, providing valuable clues about the ancient civilization that built this pyramid.This discovery has shed new light on the multiethnic culture that thrived in the area during the Epiclassic (650-950 CE) and Late Postclassic (1350-1519 CE) eras. Prior to this find, there were no known remnants of pre-Hispanic civilizations in this immediate area. The significance of this discovery cannot be overstated, as it offers a unique opportunity to uncover the cultural context of this significant find.

Preservation and Future Research

Experts were working against the clock as they needed to build a roughly 141-foot-long, 38-foot-high, 2.6-foot-thick rock masonry wall along the pyramid's exposed base. After exhaustive documentation using tools like drone-based photogrammetry, the excavated areas were reburied to maintain their integrity. Geotextiles were applied to the exposed areas to better preserve them.However, recent INAH budget cuts will reduce their 2025 funds by 45 percent, curtailing their ability to finance additional projects. This poses a challenge for future research, but the recovered materials and structural surveys will still provide researchers with valuable information to further their understanding of the region."This archaeological record provides valuable insights into the human occupation of the Sierra Alta region, particularly in the Barranca de Metztitlán area, where historiography traces settlements back 14,000 years," the INAH explained. The team's work holds great promise for unlocking the secrets of this ancient civilization and its place in history.