The pyramids of Mexico take the basic principles of the traditional structure and take it to the next level. Some are stepped. Others are covered in niches. Most are topped by temples. One, in Chichen Itza, was built so that the shadow of a giant serpent appears to be slithering up its staircase during equinoxes.

Click through the gallery to see these incredible feats of ancient engineering and learn the often extraordinary stories behind them…