Latest news with #pre-Hispanic
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
100 new structures from Peruvian Chachapoya civilization found in Andes
World Monuments Fund (WMF) announced a monumental discovery at Gran Pajatén, one of Peru's most significant archaeological sites for its exceptional architecture from the Chachapoya civilization. In the 1960s, the Rio Abiseo National Park, a UNESCO Mixed World Heritage Site, quickly became known as one of the most remarkable surviving Chachapoya sites in the country. The complex included 26 ceremonial buildings decorated with stone mosaics depicting human figures, high-relief friezes, and more. Recently, researchers identified and documented more than 100 previously unknown archaeological structures. Described as a 'milestone,' the buildings have advanced archaeologists' understanding of their settlement organization, architecture, and regional influence, according to a press release. Earlier research unearthed the site, but much remained hidden beneath dense vegetation since the 1960s, shrouding the complex's chronology and scope in mystery. However, advanced technology, including aerial and manual LiDAR scanning, photogrammetry, topographic registration, and technomorphological analysis, enabled archaeologists to bring an unprecedented view of the Gran Pajatén to the surface without damaging the delicate ecosystem that holds it. 'What makes this moment so meaningful is not only the scale of what's been uncovered, but how we were able to do it,' Bénédicte de Montlaur said, President and CEO of World Monuments Fund. 'By using advanced technology, our team gathered extraordinary visual and scientific documentation that brings Gran Pajatén to life—all while preserving its delicate environment. Though the site remains out of reach for most, these tools will allow us to share its stories widely through thoughtful, immersive digital storytelling. 'This discovery radically expands our understanding of Gran Pajatén and raises new questions about the site's role in the Chachapoya world. Evidence now confirms that it is not an isolated complex but part of an articulated network of pre-Hispanic settlements from different periods,' Juan Pablo de la Puente Brunke, Executive Director of WMF in Peru, continued in a press release. As the age of Gran Pajatén remained elusive, archaeologists confirmed that it dated earlier than they thought, the 14th century. The soil revealed an even earlier use of the site. Furthermore, aside from a 'commanding view' of the cloud forest nearby, a nearby network of roads suggested an organized and well-connected territory. Known as 'the people of the cloud forest,' the Chachapoya civilization developed between the seventh and sixteenth centuries in the northeastern Andes of Peru. They settled about 6,561-9,842 feet above sea level. Often in hard-to-reach locations, they built sophisticated urban centers, ceremonial platforms, cliffside burial structures, and agricultural terraces. They demonstrated a 'distinctive' architectural and artistic language, as their unique circular buildings, geometric friezes, and highly decorated cliffside burials reflect. Though they successfully warded off the Inca superpower, they eventually were incorporated before the arrival of the Spanish. A free exhibition at the Museo de Arte de Lima (MALI), Peru, on view from May 21 to June 18, offers visitors an opportunity to explore the Chachapoya culture in Peru and learn more about WMF's recent discoveries, the press release concludes.
Kuwait Times
2 days ago
- Science
- Kuwait Times
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. This undated handout picture shows a pot discovered at the Uaxactun archeological site. '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. — AFP
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Ancient Mayan city unearthed, including pyramids and canals
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. 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. 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. E.l.f. Beauty calls Hailey Bieber an industry disruptor amid Rhode sale These 3 record breakers have one thing in common Reporter's Notebook: John Dickerson reflects on his spelling woes
NDTV
4 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
Remains Of 3,000 Years Old Mayan City Found 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.
The Star
4 days ago
- The Star
A photographic dialogue on Mexico–Malaysia parallels
In the recent Mexico: Present Glazes, Past Spaces photography exhibition in Kuala Lumppur, organised by the Embassy of Mexico in Malaysia, guests were invited to explore Mexico's pre-Hispanic architecture through the lens of Juan Albert Estevan. An architect by profession but a photographer as a passion, Estevan, 64, provided a contemporary perspective into Mexico's rich architectural heritage, highlighting the clash of cultural values between those who came to the land for conquest and the civilisations and cultures that had already existed there for many generations. While these new colonial spaces have their roots in the European Middle Ages and Renaissance periods, they were transformed by the materials, light, and colours of the New World's geography. The result is awe-inspiring architecture marked by strong spatial syncretism, with interior spaces expressed through plazas, patios, and chapels that open into expansive atriums. 'As long as we continue talking to each other and working together, we will find new connections and bring about new ideas,' says Estevan. Photo: The Star/Yap Chee Hong Estevan's photographs, taken during his travels across Mexico, shine a spotlight on ancient Mesoamerican sites, such as the Zapotec metropolis of Monte Alban in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca, the Maya ruins of Uxmal in the Yucatan Peninsula and Teotihuacan, once one of the largest and most populated centres in the pre-Columbian Americas and is now known for its pyramids and its well-preserved murals. True essence of Mexico At the exhibition's recent inauguration, Ambassador of Mexico to Malaysia, Luis Javier Campuzano Pina, said that the Mexican embassy (which hosted the show) wanted to showcase Mexican culture and offer Malaysians a glimpse of the true essence of Mexico. 'Sometimes people think that with the conquest by the Spaniards that our culture was erased. But here in this exhibition, through Juan Albert's photographs, you can see that that's not the case – our buildings and our populations are still living and they speak different languages," said Pina. 'I also think that when it comes to learning about other countries, it's very important for people to go beyond the main headlines and stories that come in the news. Mexico has so many commonalities with Malaysia in terms of culture and gastronomy. So I'm glad we could share this exhibition with Malaysians,' he added. The iconic stairs at Batu Caves (left) and textiles found at Oaxaca. Photo: The Star/Yap Chee Hong Pina also shared that he and Estevan were childhood friends who once spent five months traveling together across Europe in their youth. 'Even back then, you could see his capacity to observe the salient aspects of the beauty in the architecture of the places we travelled to. 'I was able to better understand the value of the architecture of the historical places we visited thanks to his knowledge, so now I'm delighted that we have the great pleasure of seeing his perspective through his photos,' he said. A fusion of cultures Another part of the exhibition, aptly named Fusions: Mexico-Malaysia, celebrates various facets that both countries have in common by seamlessly fusing snapshots of Mexico and Malaysia into one image. In the 'Fusions: Mexico-Malaysia' section, Estevan blended scenes from both countries, like this image combining Batu Caves and a Mexican cenote. Photo: The Star/Yap Chee Hong From natural features such as Malaysia's Batu Caves and Mexico's cenotes (limestone sinkholes) to the vibrant streets of Melaka and Oaxaca, Estevan said he wanted to emphasise the similarities between the two countries. 'In my last trip to Malaysia three years ago, I fell in love with the country – its people, its landscapes, its food, everything. I also noticed that culturally, we have a lot of things in common, for example the use of public spaces and how you can see people eating and enjoying life. There's also a love for bright, bold colours. 'So in this exhibition, I wanted to put them together to show that we are like brothers in many ways. As long as we continue talking to each other and working together, we will find new connections and bring about new ideas,' concluded the photographer.
