Discovery of ancient altar reveals child sacrifices by Mayans

In Tikal National Park, Guatemala, a significant archaeological discovery was made by Lorena Paiz and her team, who unearthed an ancient altar believed to be associated with the Teotihuacan culture. This altar, which is located within the remains of a dwelling, is thought to have been used for sacrifices, particularly of children, during the period from 300 to 500 A.D. The excavation required one and a half years to complete, highlighting the meticulous work done by archaeologists to analyze and interpret the findings before making their announcement. The discovery sheds light on the cultural interactions between the Maya civilization in Tikal and the elites from Teotihuacan, which was located far to the north near present-day Mexico City. The altar is approximately a yard wide and nearly two yards long, with a height of about a yard and constructed from limestone. During the excavation, the remains of three children, not older than four years, were found positioned around the altar. The presence of such remains indicates a ritualistic practice that included child sacrifices, a significant and often debated aspect of Mayan religious practices. Edwin Román, who oversees the South Tikal Archaeological Project, explained that this finding reinforces the notion that Tikal was a cosmopolitan center at the time, welcoming individuals from different cultures, particularly Teotihuacan. The discovery underscores the complexity of the relationship between the two civilizations, suggesting that they engaged in meaningful sociopolitical and cultural interactions during a time when both cultures were at their height. The altar was discovered alongside anthropomorphic figures featuring distinctive red tassels, a detail that aligns with the artistic style of Teotihuacan. María Belén Méndez, an archaeologist who was not part of this project, commented that the discovery affirms a deep interconnection between the Maya and Teotihuacan, emphasizing shared practices, particularly centered around religious sacrifices. The findings were published in the archaeological journal Antiquity, bringing attention to a unique site that remains safeguarded from public access. The commitment to preserving such culturally and historically significant sites is crucial, especially considering Tikal's designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This discovery not only enriches our understanding of ancient Maya practices but also invites further exploration into the connections that fueled the development of one of the most notable ancient city-states in history.