Cholula Great Pyramid Tunnel 4
Cholula Great Pyramid Tunnel 4 North Annex · Cholula Site
Old Kingdom (2686–2181 BCE) or regional equivalent·Old Kingdom·🇲🇽 Puebla, Cholula, Mexico
About
About Cholula Great Pyramid Tunnel 4
Cholula Great Pyramid Tunnel 4 in Puebla, Cholula, Mexico is a Old Kingdom (2686–2181 BCE) or regional equivalent pyramid attributed to Old Kingdom. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal base 95 × 95 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 19.0590N -98.3020E controls access to Puebla resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey pyramid for Puebla, Cholula, illustrating Old Kingdom construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Construction logistics and labour organisation
- 02Astronomical orientation method
Theories
- 01Royal tomb with cult temple axis
- 02Experimental step before true pyramid
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 2600–2500 BCE
- Period
- Old Kingdom (2686–2181 BCE) or regional equivalent
- Culture
- Old Kingdom
- Purpose
- Royal tomb and ceremonial platform embodying cosmology
- Rediscovered
- 1980 survey
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 2600–2500 BCE
Initial construction of Cholula Great Pyramid Tunnel 4 main structure
c. 1920
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1980–2010
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Cholula Great Pyramid Tunnel 4) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
19.0590° N · 98.3020° W · 220 m · 4 mapped features
Cholula Great Pyramid Tunnel 4 — Main Structure
structurePrincipal pyramid — Base 95 × 95 m with diagnostic masonry/panel
19.0598° N · 98.3011° WCholula Great Pyramid Tunnel 4 — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
19.0580° N · 98.3027° WCholula Great Pyramid Tunnel 4 — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
19.0605° N · 98.3008° WCholula Great Pyramid Tunnel 4 — Hydraulic/Cistern
hydraulicHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir or rock-cut channel associated with site
19.0574° N · 98.3031° W