Enigmatic Maya site Los Abuelos discovered in Guatemala!

Archäologen entdecken in Guatemala die 2.900 Jahre alte Maya-Stätte "Los Abuelos", ein bedeutendes rituelles Zentrum.
Archaeologists discover the 2,900-year-old Maya site "Los Abuelos", an important ritual center in Guatemala. (Symbolbild/DNAT)

Enigmatic Maya site Los Abuelos discovered in Guatemala!

Uaxactún, Guatemala - archaeologists have made a remarkable discovery in the lush rainforest of Guatemalas: a Maya site that is around 2,900 years old, which bears the name "Los Abuelos" (the grandparents). This place, which extends over 16 square kilometers, is located near the already known place Uaxactún in the province of Petén. According to Kleine Zeitung is one of the most important ritual centers in the region, which underlines the importance of this discovery.

Team leader Milan Kováč commented on the finds in a press conference in Guatemala City. The archaeologists, who come from Slovakia and Guatemala, discovered two anthropomorphic stone sculptures, which are probably devoted to the cult of the ancestors. These figures represent a couple (man and woman) and date from 600 to 400 BC. The seated sculptures are about 1.5 meters high and were found together with deliberately broken ceramics. The exact purpose of these broken remains has so far been unclear.

ritual use and historical importance

The place Los Abuelos was used to be used for ritual purposes for around 1,000 years before it was used by later residents again around 800 AD. This long history of use emphasizes the cultural and religious relevance of the location. The proximity to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is about 40 kilometers south, increases the historical context of this discovery. Uaxactctún itself, named after an ancient holy place, was discovered by archaeologist Sylvanus Morley in 1916 and is known for its important historical remains.

In recent years, the Archaeologent team around Kováč has also examined two other locations in the area: Petnal and Cambrayal. In Petnal they found the largest pyramid of the examined area, which is impressive 33 meters high. These discoveries expand our understanding of Maya civilization and its deeply rooted ritual practices.

cultural inheritance and continued

The archaeological finds in Los Abuelos and the surrounding areas, including ancient Egyptian structures and other relics, offer valuable insights into the way of life and belief systems in Maya civilization. While Uaxactún experienced a decline in its monumental activities over the centuries, the region remains a fascinating study property for researchers and historians. Tagesspiegel indicates that the cultural inheritance of the Maya continues to move into the light.

summarized the discovery of Los Abuelos shows how important and diverse the legacy of Maya civilization is. With the help of modern technologies and interdisciplinary research approaches, we can finally start to decipher and appreciate the secrets of these old cultures.

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OrtUaxactún, Guatemala
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