Featured Image Credit: Storyful
Topics: Crime, Mexico, History, World News
Ella Scott
A German holidaymaker and another man have been arrested in Mexico for climbing a Mesoamerican pyramid during a four-day spring equinox celebration.
The Temple of Kukulcán, known also as El Castillo, is one of the most iconic buildings in Chichen Itza, Yucatan state.
Considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, the archaic building is thought to have been built to help the Mayans with their astrological endeavours while paying tribute to the feathered serpent god, Kukulcán.
Last week, between 8,000 and 9,000 tourists flocked to the ancient temple’s base to observe the spring equinox and witness the iconic light and shadow phenomenon that takes place each year, according to local news outlet Mexico News Daily.
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One person who headed to the four-day-long celebration was a 38-year-old German man, who officials have yet to officially name, as reported by Fox News.
In video footage, obtained by Sky News, the tourist decided that visiting the site wasn’t enough—he wanted to scale the steps of the pyramid to reach an inside chamber.
However, before he was able to scramble inside, he was apprehended and led away from the historic site by officials.
It’s understood that as the traveller was escorted from the premises of the Maya temple by Mexican National Guard officers and National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) personnel, he was attacked by people in the crowd.
"You are not allowed to go up the temple!" one onlooker could be heard in the clip, according to a translation.
Meanwhile, another angry person called the man ‘stupid’ and an ‘idiot’.
As well as being yelled at for trespassing, some watchers began reaching for the man, hitting him, and claiming he should have been ‘sacrificed’, as per tradition in ancient Maya civilization.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site reports that it has been illegal for visitors to climb the pyramid since 2008. This is due to previous scalers causing significant damage to the building.
"The decision to ban climbing ensures that the pyramid remains intact for future generations to admire and study," the website states.
"The pyramid’s steep steps make climbing a risky activity. Before the ban, there were numerous reports of visitors losing their footing and sustaining injuries. The prohibition on climbing not only protects the structure but also safeguards visitors from potential accidents."
The apprehended man and another tourist were arrested for climbing the nearly 1,000-year-old structure.
They both face potential fines under Article 55 of the Federal Law on Archaeological, Artistic, and Historical Monuments and Zones of Mexico, according to Mexico News Daily.
“Any violation of this Law or its Regulations, which is not provided for in this chapter, will be sanctioned by the competent Institutes, with a fine of one hundred and fifty thousand pesos; which they may challenge through the appeal for reconsideration, under the terms of the Regulations of this Law,” the legislation reads.
It should be noted that 150,000 pesos is around $7,446.20.