Latest news with #Peten
BBC News
a day ago
- Science
- BBC News
Los Abuelos: Experts discover 3,000-year-old lost Mayan city
Archaeologists say they have unearthed the remains of a 3,000-year-old Mayan city in the south American country of "Los Abuelos," which translates from Spanish as "The Grandparents," researchers say it once stood around 13 miles from the important archaeological site of Uaxactun, in the north of the Mayan civilization began around 2000 BC, in what is present-day southern Mexico and Guatemala, as well as parts of Belize, El Salvador and say Los Abuelos, which contains pyramids and monuments, point to its significance as an important ceremonial site. What did experts find? The new site is dated to what is known as the "Middle Preclassic" period, which took place from about 800 to 500 covers an area of around six square miles, and was discovered by Guatemalan and Slovak archaeologists in previously little-explored areas of the Uaxactun to Guatemala's government, Los Abuelos is believed to have been "one of the most ancient and important ceremonial centres" of the Mayan civilization in the jungle area of Peten near the Mexican a statement, it added that the site's pyramids and monuments are "sculpted with unique iconography from the region."Nearby, experts found a 33-metre high pyramid ( longer than a swimming pool) with murals from the Preclassic period and also "a unique canal system," according to the statement. Los Abuelos takes its name from two human-like sculptures of an "ancestral couple" which were found at the site. Who were the Mayans? The Maya first developed their civilisation in around 2000 lived in a place called Mesoamerica, an area of land made up of Mexico and part of Central are known for amazing creations including the spectacular buildings they built, their art, folklore, legends and also invented ground-breaking ideas which have helped shape the way we live our lives today. For example, it's thought that the Maya invented the idea of 'zero'.In around 1600 AD the Maya were conquered and destroyed by the Spanish the Maya civilisation, Britain went through the Stone, Bronze, and Iron Ages, including Stonehenge, to Roman Britain, Anglo-Saxon, Medieval and Tudor England.
CBS News
5 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Ancient Mayan city unearthed in Guatemala, including pyramids and a "unique canal system"
Archaeologists have unearthed the remains of a Mayan city nearly 3,000 years old in northern Guatemala, with pyramids and monuments that point to its significance as an important ceremonial site, the Central American country's culture ministry said Thursday. The Mayan civilization arose around 2000 BC, reaching its height between 400 and 900 AD in what is present-day southern Mexico and Guatemala, as well as parts of Belize, El Salvador and Honduras. The city named "Los Abuelos," Spanish for "The Grandparents," once stood some 13 miles from the important archaeological site of Uaxactun, in Guatemala's northern Peten department, the ministry said in a statement. It is dated to what is known as the "Middle Preclassic" period from about 800 to 500 BC, and is believed to have been "one of the most ancient and important ceremonial centers" of the Mayan civilization in the jungle area of Peten near the Mexican border, it added. "The site presents remarkable architectural planning," with pyramids and monuments "sculpted with unique iconography from the region," said the ministry. The city takes its name from two human-like sculptures of an "ancestral couple" found at the site. A photo released by the Guatemalan government shows two anthropomorphic sculptures that "represent an ancestral couple." Guatemalan Ministry of Culture and Sports The figures, dated between 500 and 300 BC, "could be linked to ancient ritual practices of ancestor worship," said the ministry. "Unique canal system" The city, which covers an area of about six square miles, was discovered by Guatemalan and Slovak archaeologists in previously little-explored areas of the Uaxactun park. Nearby, they also found a pyramid standing 108 feet high with murals from the Preclassic period and "a unique canal system," according to the statement. "The set of these three sites forms a previously unknown urban triangle... These findings allow us to rethink the understanding of the ceremonial and socio-political organization of pre-Hispanic Peten," said the ministry. Officials released a video showing archaeologists digging at the site and recovering a variety of artifacts, as well as an animation of the complex. Officials released a video showing archaeologists digging at the site and recovering a variety of artifacts, as well as animation of the complex. Guatemala's Culture and Sports Ministry In April, scientists discovered a 1,000-year-old altar from Mexico's ancient Teotihuacan culture at Tikal, elsewhere in the Peten department. That find was interpreted as proof of ties between the two pre-Hispanic cultures, which lived about 800 miles apart. Archaeologists also said that the altar was believed to have been used for sacrifices, "especially of children." Tikal, about 15 miles from Uaxcatun, is the main archaeological site in Guatemala and one of its biggest tourist attractions. Last October, an American doctoral student discovered a sprawling Maya city within a dense jungle in Mexico. Scientists and archaeologists have discovered ancient Mayan ruins by shooting lasers down from a plane to penetrate the dense jungle.
The Independent
5 days ago
- The Independent
Nearly 3,000-year-old Mayan city with ‘remarkable' architecture unearthed in Guatemala
Archaeologists in Guatemala have discovered the ruins of a 3,000-year-old Maya city featuring 'remarkable' architecture, including pyramids and monuments, that shed more light on the ancient civilisation. The ancient city named 'Los Abuelos' – Spanish for 'The Grandparents' – once stood about 21km from the archaeological site of Uaxactun in Guatemala 's northern Peten department, the culture ministry said in a statement on Thursday. The city 'presents remarkable architectural planning', and it was likely 'one of the most ancient and important ceremonial centres' of the Maya civilisation. Monuments found at the site have been dated to the Middle Preclassic period of 800-500BC and appear to be 'sculpted with unique iconography'. Some figures unearthed from the ruins, and dated to 500-300 BC, 'could be linked to ancient ritual practices of ancestor worship', according to the ministry. Researchers said a pair of nearby archaeological sites uncovered during the latest excavations also stood out for their significance. While the Petnal site is home to a 33m-high pyramid adorned with pre-classical Maya murals, Cambrayal features a unique canal system and evidence of advanced hydraulic infrastructure. 'Archaeological investigations have included the active participation of Guatemalan and international professionals, with the support of the Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia,' the ministry said. 'This joint effort has allowed significant advancements in the exploration, conservation, and dissemination of the Mayan legacy.' The three sites – Los Abuelos, Petnal and Cambrayal – were excavated as part of Guatemala 's ongoing Uaxactún Regional Archaeological Project. 'These sites form a previously unknown urban triangle,' the ministry was quoted as saying by AFP. 'These findings allow us to rethink the understanding of the ceremonial and socio-political organisation of pre-Hispanic Peten.' The latest discovery follows the unearthing in April of a 1,000-year-old altar painted with a mural in red, yellow, and blue – colours associated with Mexico's ancient Teotihuacan culture. The mural was confirmed to depict the Goddess of the Storm adorned with a feathered headdress – a distinctive feature in Mesoamerican iconography. The discovery offered the first piece of evidence in Guatemala of possible interaction between the Maya and Teotihuacan cultures. The altar was believed to have been used by individuals with strong ties to Teotihuacan, who, along with introducing their funerary and architectural traditions, expressed their own cultural identity and beliefs in the region.
Asharq Al-Awsat
5 days ago
- General
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Remains of Mayan City Nearly 3,000 Years Old Unearthed in Guatemala
Archaeologists have unearthed the remains of a Mayan city nearly 3,000 years old in northern Guatemala, with pyramids and monuments that point to its significance as an important ceremonial site, the Central American country's culture ministry said Thursday. The Mayan civilization arose around 2000 BC, reaching its height between 400 and 900 AD in what is present-day southern Mexico and Guatemala, as well as parts of Belize, El Salvador and Honduras. The city named "Los Abuelos," Spanish for "The Grandparents," once stood some 21 kilometers (13 miles) from the important archaeological site of Uaxactun, in Guatemala's northern Peten department, the ministry said in a statement. It is dated to what is known as the "Middle Preclassic" period from about 800 to 500 BC, and is believed to have been "one of the most ancient and important ceremonial centers" of the Mayan civilization in the jungle area of Peten near the Mexican border, it added. "The site presents remarkable architectural planning" with pyramids and monuments "sculpted with unique iconography from the region," said the ministry. The city takes its name from two human-like sculptures of an "ancestral couple" found at the site. The figures, dated to between 500 and 300 BC, "could be linked to ancient ritual practices of ancestor worship," said the ministry. 'Unique canal system' The city, which covers an area of about 16 square kilometers (six square miles) was discovered by Guatemalan and Slovak archaeologists in previously little-explored areas of the Uaxactun park. Nearby, they also found a pyramid standing 33 meters (108 feet) high with murals from the Preclassic period and "a unique canal system," according to the statement. "The set of these three sites forms a previously unknown urban triangle... These findings allow us to rethink the understanding of the ceremonial and socio-political organization of pre-Hispanic Peten," said the ministry. In April, scientists discovered a 1,000-year-old altar from Mexico's ancient Teotihuacan culture at Tikal, elsewhere in the Peten department. That find was interpreted as proof of ties between the two pre-Hispanic cultures, which lived about 1,300 km apart. Tikal, about 23 km from Uaxcatun, is the main archaeological site in Guatemala and one of its biggest tourist attractions.
News.com.au
5 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
Remains of Mayan city nearly 3,000 years old unearthed in Guatemala
Archaeologists have unearthed the remains of a Mayan city nearly 3,000 years old in northern Guatemala, with pyramids and monuments that point to its significance as an important ceremonial site, the Central American country's culture ministry said Thursday. The Mayan civilization arose around 2000 BC, reaching its height between 400 and 900 AD in what is present-day southern Mexico and Guatemala, as well as parts of Belize, El Salvador and Honduras. The city named "Los Abuelos," Spanish for "The Grandparents," once stood some 21 kilometers (13 miles) from the important archaeological site of Uaxactun, in Guatemala's northern Peten department, the ministry said in a statement. It is dated to what is known as the "Middle Preclassic" period from about 800 to 500 BC, and is believed to have been "one of the most ancient and important ceremonial centers" of the Mayan civilization in the jungle area of Peten near the Mexican border, it added. "The site presents remarkable architectural planning" with pyramids and monuments "sculpted with unique iconography from the region," said the ministry. The city takes its name from two human-like sculptures of an "ancestral couple" found at the site. The figures, dated to between 500 and 300 BC, "could be linked to ancient ritual practices of ancestor worship," said the ministry. - 'Unique canal system' - The city, which covers an area of about 16 square kilometers (six square miles) was discovered by Guatemalan and Slovak archaeologists in previously little-explored areas of the Uaxactun park. Nearby, they also found a pyramid standing 33 meters (108 feet) high with murals from the Preclassic period and "a unique canal system," according to the statement. "The set of these three sites forms a previously unknown urban triangle... These findings allow us to rethink the understanding of the ceremonial and socio-political organization of pre-Hispanic Peten," said the ministry. In April, scientists discovered a 1,000-year-old altar from Mexico's ancient Teotihuacan culture at Tikal, elsewhere in the Peten department. That find was interpreted as proof of ties between the two pre-Hispanic cultures, which lived about 1,300 km apart. Tikal, about 23 km from Uaxcatun, is the main archaeological site in Guatemala and one of its biggest tourist attractions.
