Why is it illegal to climb the pyramids in Mexico?
Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) made climbing such sites illegal in the late 2000s to preserve them from erosion.
People Also Ask
Even though fines for trespassers who attempt to climb the Unesco heritage site can reportedly range from $1,800-9,000, the tourist was fined $412 for the transgression, a spokesperson for INAH was quoted as saying by the Mexico Daily Post.
In the 12th century, Kurdish ruler al-Malek al-Aziz Othman ben Yusuf attempted to destroy one of the pyramids, but only successfully damaged the smallest, leaving a vertical gash on the north face.
Climbing the temples at Chichen Itza has been illegal for some 15 years now, with the ban coming into force in 2008 over concerns about the safety of those climbing and the potential long-term damage to the ancient structures themselves.
Many of the ancient Maya suffered at the hands of the Spanish in the 16th century as they conquered their land, burnt their books and brought disease and death in their wake. Fortunately, there are descendants of the ancient Maya living today, around 8 million.
Inside the pyramid, Egyptians included treasured items such as gold, jewelry and pottery, and statues of the Pharaoh, which they believed he would take with him on his journey to the afterlife. Let's take a closer look at some of the most celebrated Egyptian pyramids and the almighty leaders who were buried inside.