Lack of Excavation Funds Force Mexican Archaeologists to Rebury Ancient Pyramid Discovered During Highway Construction

Due to a lack of excavation funds, archaeologists in Mexico will be forced to rebury a 1,375-year-old ancient pyramid discovered during highway construction, according to a report.

Construction workers found the 1,000-foot-tall pyramid while building a highway in Hidalgo, a central Mexican state just north of Mexico City.

The newly discovered pyramid is from the Metzca civilization, and at the center of an area historians said may have held temples that no longer exist, according to Mexico's Minister of Culture and the National Institute of Anthropology, Local 12 reported. Archaeologists have found more than 155 historical artifacts in the area.

Although archaeologists were excited about the discovery since little is known about the Metzca civilization, the National Institute of Anthology decided that the pyramid will be reburied for preservation, citing recent budget cuts.

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum cut the institute's budget from $395,000 to $222,000, leaving little financial room to cover excavation and preservation costs, according to Local 12.