New discovery may make historians think again about the Mayans

In a recent interview, researchers involved in a joint archeology project between the United States and Guatemala say they have discovered 417 Mayan cities dating back some 3.000 years, connected by 117 kilometers of "superhighways," according to the paper. The Washington Post May 20.5. The researchers call this the world's first highway system.

This discovery, just announced in December 12.2022, is causing historians to rethink their understanding of the ancient Maya civilization. The discovery of a network of roads and cities, irrigation systems and agricultural infrastructure suggests that communities living in Central America were more advanced than has been recorded.

Screenshot The Washington Post

According to the study, the new findings reflect "socioeconomic organization and political power". The Lost World dates from 1.000 BC to the pre-classical Mayan era, once considered a nomadic, hunter-gatherer society. 

The new discovery from the El Mirador jungle area in northern Guatemala is "a game-changer," Richard Hansen, lead author of the study and professor of archeology at Idaho State University, told the BBC. The Washington Post.

“We now know that the Preclassic period was a period of architectural complexity and sophistication, with some of the largest buildings in world history being built during this time,” said Hansen. He also said that the new findings revealed "a large part of human history that we have never known".

The team, with scientists from the US and Guatemala, has been mapping areas in Central America since 2015 and has used lidar technology - a laser archaeological mapping technique - to detect the tiniest details, such as ancient vegetation. Thanks to this, scientists were able to see dams, reservoirs, pyramids, causeway networks and even ancient football fields, according to the study.