MEXICO CITY , Mexico ( Reuters ) -- Archaeologists have discovered what they think are ruins of an Aztec pyramid razed by vengeful Spanish conquerors in what is now one of Mexico City 's most crime-ridden districts . Construction workers unearthed ancient walls in the busy Iztapalapa neighborhood in June , and government archeologists said Wednesday they believe they may be part of the main pyramid of the Aztec city , destroyed by conquistador Hernan Cortes in the 16th century . Iztapalapa , now infamous for violent crime and drug dealing , has grown into a sprawling , poor district of the capital , obscuring the ruins . `` We knew the general location but could n't explore because it 's a big urban area , '' said government archeologist Jesus Sanchez , who is director of the site . Iztapalapa 's ruler , Cuitlahuac , nearly annihilated Cortes and his Spanish troops in 1520 in what became known as the Sad Night . After eventual victory , Cortes destroyed the city . Sanchez hopes he has found the city 's main pyramid just below the neighborhood 's central plaza and garden . He and his team will spend more than a year investigating before deciding whether to excavate . Mexico City is littered with pre-Hispanic ruins . In October , archeologists in the city 's central Zocalo square unearthed a 15th century Aztec altar and a 12-ton stone idol just yards from choking downtown traffic . The Aztecs , a warlike and deeply religious people who built monumental works , ruled an empire stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean and encompassing much of modern-day central Mexico . E-mail to a friend . Copyright 2007 Reuters . All rights reserved.This material may not be published , broadcast , rewritten , or redistributed .
Ruins of an Aztec city located in Iztapalapa neighborhood , Mexico City . This is a sprawling , crime - ridden district . The Aztecs ruled an empire stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean .