Archaeologists uncover nearly 3,000-year-old Mayan city in Guatemala
- Archaeologists found an ancient Maya city called Los Abuelos in Guatemala, highlighting its significant architectural features.
- The site dates back to the Middle Preclassic period and includes pyramids, sanctuaries, and unique canals.
- These findings expand our understanding of Mayan civilization and its urban organization, suggesting its cultural and historical importance.
In the northern region of Guatemala, archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery of a nearly 3,000-year-old Mayan city known as Los Abuelos. This ancient site, which was uncovered as part of the Uaxactún Regional Archaeological Project, showcases a range of significant architectural features, including pyramids, sanctuaries, and a unique canal system. Experts believe that Los Abuelos served as an important ceremonial center for the Maya civilization during the Middle Preclassic period, indicating its historical significance in the broader context of Mayan culture. The city is situated approximately 21 kilometers from the archaeological site of Uaxactún, near the Mexican border. Among the remarkable findings at Los Abuelos are two human-like sculptures, which are thought to represent an ancestral couple linked to practices of ancestor worship. These artifacts span various periods, with some sculptures dated between 500 and 300 BC. This indicates that the site has a rich history and potentially played a crucial role in Mayan rituals and social practices. Additionally, nearby excavations at the sites of Petnal and Cambrayal revealed further insights into the urban planning of the ancient Maya. In Petnal, a pyramid standing 33 meters high was discovered, adorned with evocative murals that date back to the Preclassic Maya period. Meanwhile, Cambrayal features an innovative water canal system within a palace, showcasing advanced hydraulic engineering that supported the urban infrastructure of the time. These discoveries illuminate the interconnectedness of these three sites, forming an urban triangle that exemplifies the sophistication of Maya civilization and its ceremonial and socio-political organization. The collaborative effort of Guatemalan and Slovak archaeologists, along with international experts, has significantly contributed to understanding the Mayan legacy, demonstrating that new findings can still emerge from Guatemala’s rich historical landscape.