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3,000-Year-Old Maya City Discovered in Guatemala Jungle with Pyramids and Ancestor Statues. |
A jaw-dropping archaeological discovery has just been made deep in the jungles of Guatemala—the remains of an ancient Maya city estimated to be nearly 3,000 years old. This isn’t just a random ruin. It’s a full-blown ceremonial center packed with pyramids, stone monuments, and an advanced infrastructure system that shows just how sophisticated the Maya civilization really was.
The city has been named Los Abuelos, which translates to “The Grandparents” or “The Ancestors,” in honor of two human-like statues found at the site. Researchers believe these statues represented revered ancestors who were likely worshipped in ancient rituals. The statues are estimated to be between 2,300 and 2,500 years old.
An Early Ritual Hub Hidden in the Jungle
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3,000-Year-Old Maya City Discovered in Guatemala Jungle with Pyramids and Ancestor Statues. |
Los Abuelos is located about 13 miles (21 kilometers) from Uaxactun, one of the most significant archaeological sites in Guatemala’s Petén region. Experts say this newly found city dates back to the Middle Preclassic period (800–500 BCE) and is now considered one of the oldest and most important ritual centers in Maya history, especially in the tropical forest near the Mexico border.
Smart City Design Way Ahead of Its Time
According to Guatemala’s Ministry of Culture, the city’s layout is impressively well-organized. The pyramids and monuments discovered are decorated with unique regional iconography, a kind of symbolic artwork specific to the area and time period.
One of the standout discoveries is a 33-meter (108-foot) pyramid still bearing traces of ancient murals from the Preclassic era. On top of that, archaeologists also uncovered a rare system of water canals, hinting at a surprisingly advanced level of engineering and urban planning for the time.
A Lost City That Forms an Ancient Triangle
The entire Los Abuelos site spans about 6.2 square miles (16 square kilometers). The discovery was a joint effort between Guatemalan and Slovakian researchers. Interestingly, this city is part of a previously unknown “triangle of ancient cities”, connected with two other nearby archaeological sites.
Experts believe these findings could totally reshape our understanding of how the Maya civilization was organized—both spiritually and politically—long before European contact. It also proves that their knowledge of architecture and engineering was far more advanced than many people realize.
A Discovery That Rewrites History
This discovery isn’t just another find—it’s a game-changer. It gives us new insight into how complex and spiritually rich Maya society was nearly three millennia ago. From religious ceremonies to urban planning, the people of Los Abuelos were clearly ahead of their time.
Who would’ve thought that deep in the Guatemalan jungle, an ancient city like this was hiding, waiting to be uncovered?
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