Unknown ancient Mayan city discovered in Mexican jungle

The Mayan civilization is famous for its layered pyramids. Photo: Reuters

The Mexican Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) has confirmed and published information about the newly discovered ancient city belonging to the ancient Mayan civilization, adding that it could have been an important center of the Mayan civilization more than a thousand years ago.

The Mayan civilization was built by the Maya people – one of the indigenous tribes in the Americas. The Mayan civilization was formed about 4,000 years ago. The Mayans are famous for their unique stone structures and mathematics.

According to INAH, the newly discovered ancient city has been named Ocomtun - meaning "stone pillar" in the Yucatec Maya language. Ocomtun city includes large pyramid-like buildings, stone pillars, three plazas with "monumental buildings" and other structures arranged in nearly concentric circles.

Ocomtun is located in the Balamku Ecological Reserve on the country's Yucatan Peninsula and was discovered in a vast unexplored forest larger than Luxembourg (the Western European country covers about 2,500 ^square kilometers). The search took place from March to June using airborne laser mapping (LiDAR) technology.

Stone slab from an altar found in the ancient city of Ocomtun. Photo: Reuters

Ocomtun had a main area on high ground surrounded by a vast wetland, including several pyramid-like structures up to 15 meters high, said archaeologist Ivan Sprajc. The city also had a ball court where the game of Pok-a-tok (a bit like soccer) was played. His team also found central altars near the La Riguena River that may have been designed for sacrificial rituals. Sacrificial rituals were something the ancient Maya took very seriously.

According to Ivan Sprajc, the city of Ocomtun may have declined around 800 to 1000 AD. Archaeologists need time to study the city further.

SERIOUS (According to Reuters)

Source