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A Mexican Highway Project Discovered a Buried Ancient Pyramid

2024-12-10

A Mexican highway project unexpectedly led to the revelation of an ancient pyramid buried beneath the road. This astonishing find has opened up new avenues of exploration and understanding of Mexico's rich history. Crews working on the Pachuca-Huejutla highway in central-eastern Mexico stumbled upon a pre-Hispanic pyramid that partially dipped below the existing roadway. This remarkable structure, now known as Structure 1 in the San Miguel settlement, consists of at least 10 mounds in five different sections and has already yielded over 150 artifacts during excavations. These artifacts range from ceramics and shells to lime floors and lithic materials, providing valuable insights into the past.

Uncovering the Ancient Pyramid

Experts from Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) have determined that the pyramid dates back to the pre-Hispanic era, specifically between the Epiclassic period and the Late Postclassic period (650 to 1519 A.D.). The discovery of this pyramid represents a significant piece of the larger San Miguel settlement, which likely thrived in the area. It may also be connected to the Metzca lordship, a society that inhabited the Sierra Alta region. Without the construction of the highway, this ancient site would have remained hidden for centuries. The use of drones to take photos and create a 3D model of the site allowed for a detailed examination of the pyramid before it was reburied to ensure its conservation.

The Significance of the Discovery

The data generated by this archaeological record will play a crucial role in our understanding of human occupation in the Sierra Alta region of Hidalgo, particularly in the Barranca de Metztitlán area. According to historiography, the first settlements in this region date back at least 14,000 years. This discovery not only adds to our knowledge of Mexico's past but also highlights the importance of preserving and studying these ancient sites. The fact that part of the pyramid's base dips beneath the existing roadway means that excavation work will be required to fully uncover and understand its significance. However, the future of these excavations is uncertain due to a 45 percent reduction in funding for the INAH in their 2025 budget.

The Mysterious Future of the Site

When work on Structure 1 of San Miguel will resume remains a mystery. Archaeologists are eager to return and continue their exploration, but the lack of funding poses a significant challenge. The potential for uncovering more artifacts and gaining a deeper understanding of the San Miguel settlement and the Metzca lordship is great. This discovery joins a handful of recent incidents where ordinary objects or activities have led to unexpected revelations about Mexico's past. It serves as a reminder of the hidden treasures that may still be waiting to be discovered beneath the surface.Tim Newcomb, a journalist based in the Pacific Northwest, covers a wide range of topics including stadiums, sneakers, gear, and infrastructure. His interviews with renowned figures such as Roger Federer in Switzerland, Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles, and Tinker Hatfield in Portland have provided unique perspectives on various fields. His coverage of this ancient pyramid discovery adds another layer to his diverse portfolio.>

In recent years, construction "megaprojects," typically defined as those costing $1 billion or more, have been on the rise. Industry sources highlight this trend as sectors ranging from technology to manufacturing undertake increasingly large endeavors. These projects bring with them a host of challenges, particularly in the realm of large-scale risk management and insurance. Completing large insurance placements while grappling with increased input costs poses significant difficulties.

Unraveling the Challenges and Growth of Construction Megaprojects

Project Multiplication and Industry Impact

The number and frequency of $1 billion-plus construction projects have witnessed a significant multiplication. Just a few years ago, large-scale construction projects occurred at a rate of four or five per year. Now, across industries like technology and manufacturing, we see three to four such projects per quarter. Data centers, for instance, are huge undertakings. With the added cost of technology hardware and cooling equipment necessary for these facilities, they reach the billion-dollar mark surprisingly quickly. The automotive, aerospace, and chip manufacturing sectors are also actively involved in large building projects. Patrick McBride, the Dallas-based head of construction property for Zurich North America, states that we are seeing a record number of billion-dollar projects. In fact, we probably see one a week, if not every two weeks.In addition to data centers, the manufacturing sector, including electric vehicle manufacturers, electric vehicle battery manufacturers, and the broader semiconductor sector, along with the demand for artificial intelligence and cloud computing, is driving this growth. As per the U.S Census Bureau, construction spending in October was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2.174 trillion, 0.4% above the revised September estimate and 5% above the October 2023 estimate. During the first 10 months of this year, construction spending totaled $1.815 trillion, up 7.2% from the same period in 2023.

Rising Costs and Inflation's Impact

Rob McDonough, the New York-based U.S. construction practice leader for Marsh LLC, notes that we have definitely seen an increase in megaprojects. He points to the onshoring initiative with chip manufacturing facilities, as well as the electric vehicle sector and large infrastructure projects like airports and rail. In addition to physically larger and more complex projects, inflation and input costs have driven up the value of many larger projects. Since February 2020, construction costs have risen almost 40%. The values of projects are getting larger due to inflation; labor and other input prices are simply more expensive. A job that might have been $700 million in the past is now well over a billion.

Insurance Challenges and Market Responses

As the projects get larger, individual lines of coverage extended by insurers have shrunk. Sometimes, they have reduced from as much as $25 million to as little as $10 million, leaving more work for brokers to put together ever-larger coverage towers. However, sources emphasize that there is enough capacity in the marketplace for project owners and others to complete placements, albeit with more effort. Ed Totten, the Philadelphia-based profit center head, excess liability construction for Axa XL, a unit of Axa SA, states that it's definitely more work to stitch together the towers, but there is plenty of capacity. Years ago, you could put up $25 million chunks, but now those have been cut down to $10 million chunks. So, a $100 million tower will require more participants. There is a certain strain, and brokers are doing more to complete coverage towers, in some cases tapping global capacity from London or Bermuda markets for the largest projects.Data and analytics also play a crucial role. Zurich's Mr. McBride mentions that some project owners opt to purchase insurance limits based on projected maximum losses rather than a project's total value. This is because estimated maximum loss scenarios are often less than the total insurable value.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the joint efforts of Michigan, Illinois, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are making significant progress in safeguarding the Great Lakes from invasive carp. This crucial project, which aims to prevent the spread of these nuisance species, has now secured its first construction contractors and is one step closer to its kickoff.

Protecting the Great Lakes - A Collaborative Effort Against Invasive Carp

Project Overview

A collaboration between Michigan, Illinois, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is focused on keeping invasive carp and other nuisance species from entering the Great Lakes. The Brandon Road Interbasin Project is a key part of these efforts, with the awarding of a $15.5 million contract to Miami Marine Services for site preparation and riverbed rock removal. Miami Marine will partner with Michels Construction, Inc. for the completion of this contract. This project is one of three construction increments and will address a critical pinch point at Brandon Road Lock and Dam near Joliet, Illinois.Governor Gretchen Whitmer emphasizes the importance of this step, stating, "This contract award is an important step forward as we get shovels into the ground on the Brandon Road Project. The Great Lakes define Michigan. They support tens of thousands of good-paying jobs and drive tens of billions of dollars in economic impact. Building Brandon Road will help us protect local communities, grow our economy, and ensure future Michiganders can enjoy these incredible natural resources for generations to come."

Economic and Ecological Impact

If invasive carp move into the Great Lakes, they could have a significant impact on the local ecology and economy. These fish can outcompete native species and harm the $20 billion fishing and boating industries. They can grow up to 60 pounds and eat 40% of their body weight each day. A single female can produce one million eggs, and with only 10 females and 10 males crossing into the Great Lakes, a population can be established.Earlier this year, Whitmer pledged $64 million in support of the project, matching a $50 million commitment from Illinois and unlocking $274 million in federal funding. This shows the collective commitment to protecting the Great Lakes.

Progress and Future Steps

The awarding of the first construction contract is a major milestone in the project. With Miami Marine Services and Michels Construction, Inc. on board, the work can now begin. The next steps will involve the completion of the site preparation and riverbed rock removal, followed by the construction of the engineered channel. This will help to prevent the invasive carp from entering the Great Lakes and protect the delicate ecosystem.As the project progresses, it will serve as a model for other similar efforts to protect the Great Lakes from invasive species. It highlights the importance of collaboration between states and federal agencies in addressing environmental challenges and safeguarding our natural resources.