The Great Pyramid of Giza may be the only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World, but it is not the world's biggest pyramid. That title belongs to the Great Pyramid of Cholula, in the state of Puebla, Mexico. Constructed in stages by successive civilizations between the 3rd century BC and the 9th century AD, the pyramid has a total volume of 157.1 million cubic feet (4.45 million cubic meters) -- significantly larger than the Great Pyramid of Giza's 91.2 million cubic feet (2.5 million cubic meters). The pyramid in Cholula, however, is completely covered by soil and vegetation, so that it appears to simply be a large hill. That is how the Spanish conquistadors found it when they arrived in Cholula in 1519, defeating the city's inhabitants and constructing a church on top of this hill: Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios. The vast pyramid complex remained hidden and untouched until archaeological excavations began in 1931.
An ancient wonder, hidden in plain sight:
- Archaeologists have excavated around five miles (8 km) of tunnels at the site, and visitors can explore some of the Great Pyramid of Cholula through designated passageways.
- The pyramid complex is known locally as Tlachihualtepetl, which means "man-made mountain."
- The Great Pyramid of Giza is significantly taller than its Mexican counterpart, standing 455 feet (138.7 m) tall, compared to the Cholula pyramid's 217 feet (66 m).
