Woman who was mobbed for climbing ancient Mayan pyramid released and fined
The woman who was mobbed by an angry crowd for climbing an ancient Mayan pyramid has been released and fined.
In case you missed it, here is the now-viral moment the visitor learned the hard way why you shouldn't disrespect important historical and cultural sites:
According to local press, the woman has been identified as 29-year-old Abigail Villalobos, although police wouldn't confirm the identity to the Daily Mail.
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But she's also earned herself the nickname 'Lady Chichén Itzá' online after climbing the ancient structure Castillo de Kukulcán, located in Chichén Itzá, southeastern Mexico.
When she reached the top, Villalobos danced before returning to the ground where she was mobbed by angry onlookers.
Some guests were heard booing the woman and shouting 'lock her up', while others filmed the scene or threw water at her.
As reported by the Merco Press, the crowd was also chanting 'sacrifice, sacrifice', adding that 'this woman does not respect the rules'.
The Tinum municipal police station told the Daily Mail that its officers arrested Villalobos and detained her for half an hour.
Although she was released shortly after the stunt, she was made to pay a fine of 5,000 pesos (£216).
Climbing the pyramid has been banned since 2008 by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) so that they can be protected for future visitors to enjoy.
In a bid to deter people from doing so, there is also said to be a fine that ranges from around £2,150 to £4,300.
These figures are calculated based on the amount of damage caused to the pyramid, so in this instance it appears the woman got off lightly.
But that's not the case with the online community, where Villalobos' stunt has been slammed.
Social media commentators had a lot to say about the woman's actions, with one writing: "Please tell me she is not an American."
"Imagine someone from Mexico doing anything anywhere near this disrespectful to an American monument," speculated a second.
"Every media outlet would be running the video continuously for weeks. But when Americans do it to a Mexican monument, it's not news."
A third added: "The crowd yelling 'jail, jail, jail!' makes me feel better about society seeing these acts as egregious rather than applaudable."
Meanwhile, a fourth suggested that the woman got off lightly compared to what the Mayan people allegedly used to do to their enemies.
"The Mayans used to cut the heads of their enemies and roll them down those same pyramids," they wrote. "I'd say they're being nice."
Topics: World News, Viral
Daisy Phillipson