We visited here as part of the Basilica de Candelaria & Güímar Pyramids shore excursion on Sun…read morePrincess. The Pyramids of Güímar are located in the village of the same name. These stone step pyramids have sparked much discussion. Archaeologists conclude they were built only in the mid-19th century to facilitate cultivation of the cochineal insect used in dye making. (How such pyramids facilitated that was not explained.) However, Noewegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl became convinced the pyramids were constructed by the Guanche people in antiquity. He further proposed the the shape of the step pyramids follows closely the layout of the Mayan and Teotuhuacan step pyramids, including courts connecting them. He viewed them as a link between continents. Further evidence to him was the fact that the Guanches practiced mummification of their dead. It is said that other such pyramids exist on the island and one does see rocks walls everywhere of similar construction.
In any case, Thor Heyerdahl teamed with shipping magnate Fred Olsen to excavate the pyramids. The Pyramid Park was created in 1998 to showcase the pyramids. It is well that they did, so one can view them and evaluate them. There is a museum on the site in the reconstructed Finca La Chicona estate house of 1875. However,the museum contains many artifacts collected by Heyerdahl from different parts of the world, but little locally.
