The influence of Teotihuacán on Maya civilization during the Early Classic period (150-600 AD) has been widely debated, particularly concerning its role in the rise of the ajawtaak or Maya lords. A recent study focused on the site of Tikal and Teotihuacán’s interactions in Mesoamerica suggests that the construction of the Pyramid of the Feathered […]
Maya
Posted inArchaeology
A Large Maya City with Pyramids and Over 6,500 Structures Found in Campeche, Mexico
In recent years, Light Detection and Ranging (Lidar) technology has transformed the way scientists study ancient civilizations, allowing them to analyze vast areas from the comfort of a lab. Such is the case with a research team from Tulane University, which has uncovered the existence of vast unexplored Maya settlements in the Mexican state of […]
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Reliefs with Figures of Guardians, Celestial Ancestors, and Mythical Animals of the Kaanu’l Mayan Dynasty Found in Mexico
The recent archaeological discovery in the Dzibanché Archaeological Zone, Quintana Roo (Mexico), has provided new insights into the grandeur of the Kaanu’l dynasty, one of the most influential in the ancient Mayan civilization. Under the serpent emblem, known as “kaan” in the Mayan language, this powerful lineage ruled vast territories that today include parts of […]
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The entire Maya city of Ucanal and its inhabitants were contaminated with mercury
A recent study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports has revealed mercury contamination in the ancient water reservoirs of the Maya city of Ucanal, located in Petén, Guatemala. The research team, made up of archaeologists and geoscientists, found excessively high levels of mercury in the sediments of three water reservoirs dating back to […]
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9 Patolli Boards, an Ancient Mesoamerican Game Played with Beans, Found in Mexico
During the archaeological rescue efforts led by the federal Ministry of Culture, through the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), nine patolli engravings were discovered along Section 7 of the Maya Train. These patollis, which are an ancient Mesoamerican game, were found on the free road to Chetumal, in a structure identified as T7-44279, […]
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A Large Panel with 123 Maya Glyphs Mentioning an Until-Now Unknown King, Discovered in Mexico
The Secretariat of Culture of the Government of Mexico, in collaboration with the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), has announced the discovery of a fascinating panel containing an extensive Maya hieroglyphic text, which was found engraved on the rock of a nearby lagoon to the imposing pyramid structure Nohoch Mul, in the emblematic […]
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Mayan Genome Analysis Reveals Practice of Ritual Sacrifice of Twin Boys
A new study explores the ritual practice of child sacrifice at Chichén Itzá, an ancient Maya city. Following the collapse of the classical Maya civilization, Chichén Itzá emerged as a powerful and influential city. Despite its prominence, much about its political connections and ritual life remains a mystery. The study, published in Nature, reveals that […]
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Remains of Mayan Beekeeping Discovered in Mexico
Beekeeping has been a deeply rooted practice in the daily life of the Mayan population of the Yucatán Peninsula since pre-Hispanic times, as evidenced by various codices, such as the Madrid or the Tro-Cortesian, as well as some chronicles of the Indies, which mention that the ancient indigenous people used honey both as food, an […]
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Chultun Discovered for the First Time Inside a Building in the Mayan City of Tulum
A chultún is a type of underground bottle-shaped reservoir used to collect rainwater and is an important element in the architecture of the Mayan civilization. The discovery of one of these compartments inside a building for the first time in the Archaeological Zone of Tulum has sparked great interest among archaeologists. The find is part […]
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Maya blessed their ball fields by depositing hallucinogenic plants and chili under them
For sports enthusiasts, iconic locations like Fenway Park, Wembley Stadium, or Centre Court at Wimbledon are revered as hallowed ground. But even millennia before these modern venues, ancient Maya built ballcourts that were more than just places to play; they were sites of ceremonial significance and sacred rituals. Recent archaeological research from the University of […]
