The Indian Express reported that on August 12, Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) assessed the extent of damage and planned to carry out restoration work at the Ihuatzio archaeological site. It was once the center of the Purépecha civilization, founded around 900 AD.
Within 9 days, two ancient structures collapsed, causing indigenous people to consider this event a bad omen, warning of an impending disaster.
On August 7, The Double Arch, a 190 million-year-old natural wonder in Glen Canyon, Utah, collapsed. A few days earlier, the 1,100-year-old pyramid at the Ihuatzio archaeological site in Mexico suffered serious damage due to heavy rain, with parts of the southern facade collapsing. This causes further damage to the core and walls of the building.
The pyramid was deeply revered by the people of Purépecha. This collapse phenomenon affects their spirit.
Experts believe that natural factors such as erosion and water level fluctuations are responsible for the collapse of ancient structures. The Purépecha people view this series of events through a spiritual lens. They considered them bad signs or messages from the gods.
Mr. Tariakuiri Alvarez, a local resident, revealed that the collapse of the pyramid is considered a bad sign for the Purépecha people. He emphasized: "For our ancestors, the people who built the project, this was a bad omen, signaling that an important event was about to happen. Before that, when the invaders landed, the same thing happened."
Currently, INAH is planning to carry out comprehensive restoration works. Employees of this unit confirmed damage to at least 6 stairs, external walls, core and retaining walls of the structure. However, efforts to preserve this ancient structure will not necessarily alleviate the anxiety and superstition of the Purépecha community.
