Climbing Pyramids

Climbing the pyramids of Mexico's archaeological sites is an experience that has become prohibited at more and more locations.

In 2006 the famous Mayan Pyramid of Kukulkán at Chichén Itzá was closed to climbing.

Supposedly the closure came after a woman fell to her death while descending the pyramid, a story which I have never been able to confirm.  With the enormous number of visitors coming to the archaeological site, it was necessary to close the pyramid to preserve the structure.  I visited Chichén Itzá three times.  The first two times I was able to ascend to the top and even climb a staircase within the pyramid that was part of an earlier temple.  On my third trip there everything was closed to climbing.

The Pyramid of the Magician, at the Mayan site of Uxmal was also closed to climbers.

The staircase of this pyramid is especially steep and scary... yet I climbed it twice, the second time with a group of my students.  Cracks were discovered on the structure following Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, and archaeologists have worked to stabilize the pyramid.

A third Mayan pyramid closed to climbing was the Temple of the Inscriptions at Palenque.

When I first visited Palenque you were not only allowed to climb the pyramid, but you could descend a staircase within it that led to the burial chamber of King Pakal... a fascinating experience.  But on my second trip there, the pyramid was off limits.

Teotihuacan, about 30 miles north of Mexico City, is one of the largest archaeological sites in Mexico.  I have lost track of how many times I have climbed the massive Pyramid of the Sun.

You could also climb the Pyramid of the Moon, although you could only go up to the first level since the staircase was not completely restored.

All that changed in 2020 during the pandemic.  The dense crowds of people ascending and descending the steps were deemed a health hazard.  Even after the pandemic, the pyramids remained closed to insure their preservation.

The reason why I am bringing this up is because of an article I read the other day.  As of May 19th (two days ago), the National Institute of Archaeology and History reopened the Pyramid of the Moon to climbing up to the first level.  I'm not sure that the reopening is for the best of reasons.  The Institute said that the decision was made as part of an effort to increase tourism in the Teotihuacan Valley.  Repairs have been made to the steps and a handrail has been put in.

There was no mention of reopening the Pyramid of the Sun.  Visitors will not be able to make the arduous climb and have the spectacular view of the entire archaeological site.  However, they will once again have the impressive panorama from the Pyramid of the Moon looking down the Avenue of the Dead.