Archaeologists Unearth Ancient Maya City in Mexico's Jungle

Archaeologists have found portions of a long-lost Maya city in southern Mexico's deep forests.

The Mexican National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) said Tuesday that Ocomtun, the excavated city, was likely a vital hub more than a millennium ago, Reuters reported. The latest finding provides fascinating insights into the civilization's lengthy history.

The freshly discovered city is home to an astonishing collection of buildings, including enormous pyramid-shaped structures, stone columns, and three plazas decorated with imposing constructions. Due to the careful planning and expertise of the Maya civilization, these architectural wonders are organized in almost concentric rings.

The central lowland section of the Yucatan Peninsula's Ocomtun Peninsula was home to a significant town during its heyday, according to INAH, between 250 and 1000 AD. The settlement was buried for centuries by the thick jungle, which prevented further investigation of the vast Balamku natural reserve.

Impressive Ancient Structures Found

The finding was made after a comprehensive survey between March and June using LiDAR, a sophisticated airborne laser mapping technique. Using this innovative technology, researchers could see through the thick forest canopy, exposing the enormous Ocomtun ruins.

A critical period in the history of the Western Hemisphere may be attributed to the Maya civilization, which is famous for its magnificent pyramid temples and impressive stone constructions. The Maya civilization's heritage, which once covered what is now southern Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize, continues to enthrall academics and fans.

Ivan Sprajc, the lead archaeologist, expressed surprise at seeing a high landscape surrounded by marshes, per the BBC. This distinctive topography displayed impressive constructions, including pyramid-shaped buildings taller than 15 meters. According to Sprajc, Ocomtun was an important regional hub that had a significant impact on the socio-political climate of the time.

The cylindrical stone columns captivated the scholars, which gave the city its unusual name, Ocomtun. These columns are thought to function as entrances to the structures' upper-level chambers. These astounding discoveries make it clear that Ocomtun underwent substantial changes between 800 and 1000 AD before succumbing to the fall of the Lowland Maya civilization in the 10th century.

New Discoveries Change Perceptions of Ancient Maya Civilization

This most recent discovery comes after a recent advance in studying Maya civilization. Researchers in northern Guatemala utilized LiDAR technology to survey a forest-covered region, revealing a complex network of 417 cities linked by around 110 miles of high-tech roads.

The finding disproves earlier theories about the Maya civilization by exposing its sophisticated political, social, and economic structures that date back over two millennia, according to a Washington Post story.

The belief that the Maya were predominantly hunter-gatherers has been reevaluated in light of the recently found ancient Maya metropolis and the interconnected network of cities in Guatemala.

These ground-breaking discoveries have helped researchers better understand the rich cultural legacy and intricate civilization that flourished in Central America throughout the middle to late Preclassic Maya era.