Context:

Archaeologists have uncovered a nearly 3,000-year-old Mayan complex in northern Guatemala, consisting of sanctuaries, pyramids, and a unique canal system, which offers new insights into the ancient civilization. This complex spans three sites—Los Abuelos, Petnal, and Cambrayal—located near the significant Mayan site of Uaxactún. Los Abuelos, named for its anthropomorphic sculptures believed to represent an ancestral couple, served as a crucial ritual center. Petnal is notable for its 33-meter-high pyramid with mural-decorated rooms, while Cambrayal features distinctive water canals within a palace. These discoveries, part of the Uaxactún Regional Archaeological Project, highlight the advanced nature of Mayan civilization and suggest a previously unknown urban triangle in the region.

Dive Deeper:

• The discovery of the Mayan complex in Guatemala, featuring sanctuaries, pyramids, and a canal system, sheds light on the civilization's sophistication and cultural practices, with sites located near Uaxactún in the Petén region.

• Los Abuelos, one of the sites, is believed to have been an important ritual center due to the presence of anthropomorphic sculptures representing an ancestral couple and several sacred sanctuaries.

• Petnal, another key site, boasts a 33-meter-high pyramid with two rooms adorned with murals depicting symbolic representations, emphasizing the artistic and architectural prowess of the Mayans.

• Cambrayal stands out for its unique water canals within a palace, marking a significant finding that further illustrates the Mayans' advanced engineering and urban planning capabilities.

• The discovery was made by a collaboration of Guatemalan, Slovak, and international archaeologists as part of the Uaxactún Regional Archaeological Project, supported by Comenius University in Slovakia.

• These archaeological findings form a previously unknown urban triangle, providing a testament to the Mayan culture's greatness and prompting a reassessment of its historical significance.

• Recent advancements in research and technology, such as laser mapping, have enabled archaeologists to uncover new Mayan sites and understand the extensive interconnectedness of their cities, towns, and villages.