Latest news with #pre-Columbian
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Science
- Scottish Sun
Archaeologists discover 3,000-year-old LOST CITY featuring ‘remarkable' pyramids and canals
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN ANCIENT Mayan city has been discovered by archaeologists in northern Guatemala, offering fresh insights into the historic civilisation. The nearly 3,000-year-old remains include remarkable pyramids and monuments that appear to be "sculpted with unique iconography". Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Two anthropomorphic sculptures of human form or appearance that 'represent an ancestral couple' Credit: AFP 6 The archaeological site of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization in Tikal National Park, Guatemala Credit: Alamy 6 Temple I in the main plaza of Maya Archaeological Site of Tikal, Tikal National Park Credit: Getty 6 The city is likely to have been "one of the most ancient and important ceremonial centres" of Mayan civilisation Credit: AFP This ancient city, named Los Abuelos - the Spanish for "The Grandparents" - once stood around 21km from the significant archaeological site of Uaxactún, Guatemala's culture ministry said on Thursday. Los Abuelos gets its name from two human-like sculptures of an "ancestral couple" found there. These figures "could be linked to ancient ritual practices of ancestor worship", the ministry added. The city is likely to have been "one of the most ancient and important ceremonial centres" of Mayan civilisation. Monuments unearthed at the site have been dated to the Middle Preclassic period of 800-500 BC, while the city itself "presents remarkable architectural planning". The city covers an area of around six square miles and is found in Guatemala's northern Petén department. Researchers also found a 108 foot high pyramid nearby that had Preclassic murals and "a unique canal system". "Archaeological investigations have included the active participation of Guatemalan and international professionals, with the support of the Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia," a ministry spokesperson said. "This joint effort has allowed significant advancements in the exploration, conservation, and dissemination of the Mayan legacy." Three sites - Los Abuelos, Petnal and Cambraya - were unearthed through the country's ongoing Uaxactún Regional Archaeological Project. Rediscovering the Lost Maya City of Ocomtún (1) "These sites form a previously unknown urban triangle," a ministry spokesperson added. "These findings allow us to rethink the understanding of the ceremonial and socio-political organisation of pre-Hispanic Peten." Mayan civilisation rose around 2000 BC and reached its peak between 400 and 900 AD. It spanned across present-day southern Mexico and Guatemala, along with some parts of Belize, El Salvador and Honduras. The amazing new discovery comes after a 1,000-year-old altar from Mexico's ancient Teotihuacán culture was unearthed in April. It was painted with a mural of red, yellow, and blue - which are colours associated with that culture. This find was seen as suggesting evidence of possible contact between the two cultures. 6 The Pyramid at Calakmul, Mexico Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Science
- The Irish Sun
Archaeologists discover 3,000-year-old LOST CITY featuring ‘remarkable' pyramids and canals
AN ANCIENT Mayan city has been discovered by archaeologists in northern Guatemala, offering fresh insights into the historic civilisation. The nearly 3,000-year-old remains include remarkable pyramids and monuments that appear to be "sculpted with unique iconography". 6 Two anthropomorphic sculptures of human form or appearance that 'represent an ancestral couple' Credit: AFP 6 The archaeological site of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization in Tikal National Park, Guatemala Credit: Alamy 6 Temple I in the main plaza of Maya Archaeological Site of Tikal, Tikal National Park Credit: Getty 6 The city is likely to have been "one of the most ancient and important ceremonial centres" of Mayan civilisation Credit: AFP This ancient city, named Los Abuelos - the Spanish for "The Grandparents" - once stood around 21km from the significant archaeological site of Uaxactún, Guatemala's culture ministry said on Thursday. Los Abuelos gets its name from two human-like sculptures of an "ancestral couple" found there. These figures "could be linked to ancient ritual practices of ancestor worship", the ministry added. The city is likely to have been "one of the most ancient and important ceremonial centres" of Mayan civilisation. read more in world news Monuments unearthed at the site have been dated to the Middle Preclassic period of 800-500 BC, while the city itself "presents remarkable architectural planning". The city covers an area of around six square miles and is found in Guatemala's northern Petén department. Researchers also found a 108 foot high pyramid nearby that had Preclassic murals and "a unique canal system". "Archaeological investigations have included the active participation of Guatemalan and international professionals, with the support of the Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia ," a ministry spokesperson said. Most read in The US Sun "This joint effort has allowed significant advancements in the exploration, conservation, and dissemination of the Mayan legacy." Three sites - Los Abuelos, Petnal and Cambraya - were unearthed through the country's ongoing Uaxactún Regional Archaeological Project. Rediscovering the Lost Maya City of Ocomtún (1) "These sites form a previously unknown urban triangle," a ministry spokesperson added. "These findings allow us to rethink the understanding of the ceremonial and socio-political organisation of pre-Hispanic Peten." Mayan civilisation rose around 2000 BC and reached its peak between 400 and 900 AD. It spanned across present-day southern Mexico and Guatemala, along with some parts of Belize, El Salvador and Honduras . The amazing new discovery comes after a 1,000-year-old altar from Mexico's ancient Teotihuacán culture was unearthed in April. It was painted with a mural of red, yellow, and blue - which are colours associated with that culture. This find was seen as suggesting evidence of possible contact between the two cultures. 6 The Pyramid at Calakmul, Mexico Credit: Getty 6 Architectural details with dragon head sink drain of significant Mesoamerican pyramids and green grassland located at at Teotihuacan Credit: Getty
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Science
- Daily Mirror
'Disturbing' 2,000-year-old dolls discovered on top of pyramid by archaeologists
The discovery of the Bolinas figurines, a type of puppet-like artefact, could provide new insights into an ancient society A pair of intrepid archaeologists from the University of Warsaw made a groundbreaking discovery at the San Isidro site in El Salvador - five ancient clay figurines perched atop a dilapidated pyramid. This find, detailed in the journal Antiquity, features rare Bolinas artefacts, akin to puppet-like curios, which are incredibly scarce and were previously unearthed at the early Maya Tak'alik Ab'aj in Guatemala. The figurines date back over two millennia and offer tantalising prospects for shedding light on an olden Mesoamerican civilisation. Carbon-14 analyses confirmed that these pieces hail from between 410 and 380 B.C.E. These recently unearthed treasures, with mouths agape and ranging from mere inches to a sizeable foot in height, possess an interesting design. The larger ones even have removable heads with apertures suited for strings at their necks and craniums. Theorising upon their usage, scientists surmise that inserting string through these openings would allow the figures to be animated, much like rudimentary marionettes, reports the Express. Jan Szymaski revealed his impressions of these historical icons in an interview with ScienceLink's Lizzie Wade, saying: "They are clay actors. When you hold them in your hand, sometimes they even look creepy because of their vivid expressions. "Very little is known about the identities and ethnolinguistic affiliations of the creators of ancient settlements that predate the arrival of Europeans in the early 16th century. This gets worse the further back in time we look. This finding is only the second such a group found in situ, and the first to feature a male figure." El Salvador's pre-Columbian past remains shrouded in mystery, especially when contrasted with its Central American neighbours. The country's dense population coupled with countless years of volcanic activity have obscured and even destroyed many potential archaeological sites. It has been found that artefacts resembling those at San Isidro were also uncovered in parts of Guatemala and other areas in El Salvador as well as Nicaragua, Panama, and Costa Rica; this indicates a possible network between the inhabitants of San Isidro and distant cultures. The site of San Isidro consists mainly of clay formations, built by an unknown civilisation, and has not yet been fully investigated. Researchers stumbled upon the Bolinas figurines amid the remains at the peak of the site's biggest pyramid-shaped structure. Researchers are now hypothesising that these versatile Bolinas figurines could've had a significant role in "rituals that would involve recreation of some actual events or mythical events," as explained by Szymaski in a conversation with Benjamin Taub from IFL Science. Szymaski added: "This discovery contradicts the prevailing notion about El Salvador's cultural backwardness or isolation in ancient times, "It reveals the existence of vibrant and far-reaching communities capable of exchanging ideas with remarkably distant places."
Irish Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Science
- Irish Daily Mirror
'Disturbing' 2,000-year-old discovery found on top of pyramid by archaeologists
Archaeologists have made a profound discovery at the San Isidro site in El Salvador, uncovering five ancient clay figurines atop a dilapidated pyramid, signifying a significant archaeological milestone. The remarkable find was by Jan Szymaski and Gabriela Prejs of the University of Warsaw. The journal Antiquity reports that these artefacts, known as Bolinas figurines, are exceedingly unusual puppet-like creations. Previously, similar items were discovered at an early Maya site called Tak'alik Ab'aj in Guatemala. These earthen puppets, which date back over 2,000 years, could offer fresh understanding of an ancient Mesoamerican culture. Radiocarbon dating has pinpointed the creation of these five figurines to between 410 and 380 B.C.E. Each of the newly unearthed Bolinas figurines has gaping mouths and ranges from just a few inches to around a foot in stature. Of these, the three larger ones boast removable heads, along with minuscule openings in their necks and craniums, reports the Express. It's believed that a string was threaded through these openings and knotted atop the head, thus allowing the figures to be used akin to rudimentary marionettes. Jan Szymaski conveyed his thoughts on the figurines to ScienceLink's Lizzie Wade, saying: "They are clay actors. When you hold them in your hand, sometimes they even look creepy because of their vivid expressions. "Very little is known about the identities and ethnolinguistic affiliations of the creators of ancient settlements that predate the arrival of Europeans in the early 16th century. This gets worse the further back in time we look. This finding is only the second such a group found in situ, and the first to feature a male figure." El Salvador's pre-Columbian history remains largely shrouded in mystery compared to its neighbouring countries, according to a statement from Antiquity. The country's dense population and centuries of volcanic activity have resulted in significant damage and concealment of archaeological sites. Artifacts bearing resemblance to those unearthed at San Isidro have been found in Guatemala and other parts of El Salvador, as well as in present-day Nicaragua, Panama, and Costa Rica. This implies that the ancient inhabitants of San Isidro may have had ties with far-flung communities. The San Isidro site, predominantly made up of clay structures built by an unidentified group, remains largely unexplored. The Bolinas figurines were discovered by researchers while excavating the peak of the site's largest pyramidal structure. The researchers hypothesise that these versatile Bolinas figurines might have been used in "rituals that would involve recreation of some actual events or mythical events," Szymaski told IFL Science's Benjamin Taub. "This discovery contradicts the prevailing notion about El Salvador's cultural backwardness or isolation in ancient times," Szymaski stated. "It reveals the existence of vibrant and far-reaching communities capable of exchanging ideas with remarkably distant places."
Sydney Morning Herald
25-05-2025
- General
- Sydney Morning Herald
This ancient, tasty Mexican snack could be the future of food
The dish: Chapulines, Mexico Plate up What is the next big thing in food? What is the future of cuisine? What will we all be eating in 10 years' time that might come as a surprise? For the answer to the future, perhaps we need to look to the past. Because one of the experts' touted sources of sustainable future nourishment in Australia is insects such as grasshoppers and crickets, which the CSIRO predicts could be a $4 billion industry in Australia by 2030. That's not exactly futuristic though, because in countries such as Mexico (as well as parts of Africa and South-East Asia), these insects have been consumed as tasty snacks for centuries. In the Mexican state of Oaxaca, chapulines are a staple dish, small grasshoppers and crickets that are toasted on a comal – a traditional, clay frying pan – until crispy, and then seasoned with lime juice, garlic, chilli and salt. Chapulines can also be found as toppings for tlayudas (large, open tortillas), or even served on eggs. And trust us, if this is the future of sustainably raised protein, we're in for a good time, because in Mexico they're delicious. First serve There's evidence that inhabitants of what is now Mexico have been consuming chapulines since pre-Columbian times, hundreds, maybe even thousands of years ago. For ancient Mexican peoples these insects were important sources of protein, and sat alongside the likes of chicatana ants and escamoles – ant roe – as standard, seasonal cuisine. Chapulines could be cooked, seasoned and dried, and thus preserved for tougher times. Loading Order there You'll find chapulines served at streetside stands and in markets across the state of Oaxaca. In Oaxaca City, one of the legends is Chapulines Dona Chencha, a stall in the Central de Abastos market. Order here This might be the food of the future, but right now it's very hard to find chapulines on a restaurant menu in Australia. Your best bet is to source your own crickets via Circle Harvest and then fry them up. See One more thing Australia has approved only three insects for human consumption: super mealworms, house crickets and mealworm beetles. There are, however, more than 60 insect species that have been consumed for millennia by First Nations peoples.
