Mexican pyramid collapse highlights climate change threat to heritage

Due to the intense rainfall on the night of July 29, a 15-metre pyramid in the state of Michoacán, Mexico, partially collapsed. According to Science Alert, the ancient stone pyramid was one of the best-preserved monuments of the Michoacán kingdom civilization. Extreme weather events, intensified by climate change, are blamed for the damage.

The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) in Mexico points to the extreme weather observed in Mexico in recent weeks as the cause of the monument's destruction. However, Science Alert notes that Ihuatzio is not the only one experiencing the effects of climate change. Recent studies conducted in Europe and Mexico regarding the materials used in historic buildings show that increased rainfall threatens such structures.

Tariakuiri Alvarez, a contemporary member of the P’urhépecha tribe, cited by Science Alert, considers the pyramid's collapse a "bad omen," recalling similar events before the arrival of the conquistadors, which were interpreted as the gods' displeasure. The P’urhépecha tribe, also known as the Tarascans, is an ethnic group residing in Michoacán. In the pre-Columbian period, the tribe had its own state and was one of the significant civilizations of Mesoamerica.

Extreme weather conditions and rising sea levels, driven by human activity, severely threaten vital sites of ancient cultures. Recently, archaeologists discovered ancient cave paintings in Oceania are deteriorating due to accelerating climate change. The collapse of the iconic "Double Arch" rock formation in Utah is also attributed to changing water levels and erosion.

Watching priceless cultural heritage sites get destroyed due to human-altered climate is painful not only for scientists but for all of humanity. The case of the Mexican pyramid serves as another reminder of the need to act to protect our shared heritage in the face of global climate change.