• The Pyramid of Niches is one of the most unique pyramids ever built in Central America.
  • It features as many as 365 “windows” which are part of one massive calendar made of stone. The pyramid of El Tajin is a Step Pyramid composed of seven superimposed structures. The structure has a height of around 20 meters.
  • El Tajin, the city where the pyramid was built, also features as many as 17 ball courts which has led some experts to believe that the city of El Tajin was a kind of “Olympia” in the Americas where prominent sporting events were held.
  • The city was eventually conquered by the ancient Aztec Empire.

The Pyramid of Niches is one of the most unique pyramids ever constructed in Central America. It features 365 “windows,” which are part of a massive stone calendar. The pyramid of El Tajin is a step pyramid composed of seven superimposed structures, reaching a height of approximately 20 meters.

El Tajin, the city where the pyramid was built, also contains as many as 17 ball courts, leading some experts to believe that the city functioned as a kind of “Olympia” of the Americas, where prominent sporting events were held. The city was eventually conquered by the Aztec Empire.

Located in the modern-day state of Veracruz, Mexico, El Tajin is notable for a pyramid that remains relatively unknown. The ancient site is remarkable for its numerous structures, temples, palaces, and ball courts, but its most distinctive feature is the Pyramid of Niches. This pyramid was constructed with 365 niches, suggesting a profound connection between its design and the solar year.

The Pyramid of Niches stands out for several reasons. Like many other Mesoamerican pyramids, it is composed of seven superimposed platforms and features a staircase on its northern side, allowing access to its summit. However, its exterior is what truly sets it apart from other pyramids.

The pyramid’s outer decoration consists of 365 niches, excluding those hidden under the staircase. These niches, which divide the pyramid into two halves, are believed to represent the solar year. Each side of the pyramid is adorned with rows of stacked, stone-carved niches. Archaeologists propose that these niches were part of an astronomical stone calendar. The pyramid stands around 20 meters tall, further emphasizing its monumental presence.

El Tajin: A City of Pyramids and Mysteries

Much about El Tajin, its builders, and the culture that created this ancient wonder remains shrouded in mystery. Archaeological surveys suggest the city rose to prominence between 800 and 1200 CE, coinciding with the fall of the Teotihuacan Empire and the rise of the Aztecs.

El Tajin became one of the most significant sites in northeastern Mesoamerica, with its influence stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to the Yucatan Peninsula. Its architecture displays a mix of Maya and Oaxacan styles, further underscoring its cultural importance.

Despite extensive research, the identity of those who built El Tajin remains a mystery. For decades, archaeologists have been fascinated by their sophisticated architectural designs and the deeper meanings behind each structure.

Even after years of excavation, much of El Tajin’s history remains elusive. However, many experts believe the city was built by the ancestors of the Totonac people, who still inhabit the region today.

The Rise and Fall of El Tajin

At its height, El Tajin is believed to have been home to around 20,000 people, with its reach extending into the surrounding jungle, suggesting an even larger population. The fertile land around the city made it an ideal location for cultivating maize, cacao, vanilla, and tobacco, allowing it to become a prosperous trade center. The inhabitants of El Tajin may have been among the first to cultivate orchids for vanilla production.

Archaeological evidence suggests the city was first inhabited in the 1st century CE and underwent as many as 12 distinct construction phases by the 12th century CE. The early stages of the city’s history reveal a clear influence from larger cities such as Teotihuacan, evidenced by the discovery of pottery and architectural elements.

El Tajin’s influence expanded rapidly, and its numerous structures are a testament to its development and growth. Its oldest surviving pyramid dates back to around the 6th century CE. As the city grew, so did its territorial ambitions, and by the 7th century CE, El Tajin began to conquer smaller neighboring settlements, establishing itself as the dominant power in the region.

However, like the cities it once conquered, El Tajin would eventually fall. Archaeologists believe the Pyramid of Niches was completed in the 8th century CE, after being built in several phases over many years. But by 1200 CE, the city was overrun and pillaged by a massive Aztec army. The surviving population eventually surrendered, and the Aztecs took control not only of El Tajin but also many of its neighboring settlements.

When the Spanish conquistadors arrived in Veracruz in 1412, the Totonac and Huastec people allied with them in an attempt to overthrow the Aztecs. The ruins of El Tajin remained hidden until 1785, when colonial authorities stumbled upon the ancient city while searching for illegal tobacco plantations.

A Lesser-Known Wonder

Despite its vast historical importance, El Tajin has not achieved the fame of other Mesoamerican sites like Chichen Itza or Teotihuacan. Although its significance remains, El Tajin and its pyramids are still among the least explored and visited ancient sites in Mexico.

The Pyramid of Niches: A Solar Masterpiece

The Pyramid of Niches, the most prominent structure at El Tajin, is thought to have been completed in the 8th century CE. It features 365 symmetrically positioned square niches, each 60 centimeters deep. These niches, along with the heavy scroll carvings on the pyramid, create a dynamic interplay of light and shadow when illuminated by sunlight. Archaeologists believe the pyramid and its niches were deeply connected to the solar year.

The pyramid itself is a step pyramid made of seven superimposed structures, standing 20 meters tall. Each of its sides measures 26 meters, and a beautifully decorated stairway leads to a small temple-like structure at the summit.

An Olympia in Mesoamerica?

In addition to its pyramids and rich history, which provides insight into the period between the fall of Teotihuacan and the rise of the Aztec Empire, El Tajin is notable for its numerous ball courts. The city is home to 17 ball courts, an unusually high number for any Mesoamerican city. This has led some experts to theorize that El Tajin may have hosted major sporting events comparable in importance to those held at Olympia in ancient Greece.