The Hidden Giant: The Great Pyramid of Cholula
Imagine walking up a grassy, green hill in the city of Cholula, Mexico. At the very top sits a beautiful Spanish church with bright domes reaching toward the sky. It looks like a peaceful, natural park. But beneath the grass, trees, and soil lies a massive ancient secret. You are not standing on a hill at all. You are walking on top of the Great Pyramid of Cholula, the largest monument ever built by humans anywhere in the world.
When people think of giant pyramids, they usually picture the pointed stone structures in Egypt. However, the Great Pyramid of Cholula is much larger in terms of volume, which is the amount of physical space an object takes up. Its base is so huge that it covers nearly forty-five acres. That is big enough to fit nine football fields! While it is not as tall as the famous pyramids in Egypt, its massive base makes it the largest pyramid on Earth by far.
- Volume:
- The amount of physical space an object takes up.
- Summit:
- The highest point or peak of a hill or mountain.
- Reclaimed:
- Taken back or overgrown by wild nature over time.
- Monument:
- A large structure built to remind people of a person, event, or historical period.
- civilizations:
- Large, organized societies that have their own culture, government, and ways of living developed over time.
- archaeologists:
- Scientists who study past human life and cultures by examining bones, tools, buildings, and other ancient objects.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Where is the Great Pyramid of Cholula located?
- 2What sits on the very top of the grassy hill of Cholula today?
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About this explanatory article passage for Upper Elementary
“The Hidden Giant: The Great Pyramid of Cholula” is a explanatory article reading passage about Ancient History and Archaeology, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 3 minutes to read (421 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.