Mysterious 3,000-Year-Old Mayan City Found: Los Abuelos

Deep in the dense forests of northern Guatemala, archaeologists have unearthed a treasure that time had forgotten, a Mayan city that is nearly 3,000 years old. Named Los Abuelos, which means “The Great Parents” in Spanish, this ancient city stands out not only for its age but also for the symbolic meanings it carries.

The Maya civilization emerged around 2000 BC and reached its peak between 400 and 900 AD in what is now southern Mexico and Guatemala, as well as parts of Belize, El Salvador, and Honduras.

The Guatemalan Ministry of Culture announced the discovery of a new ancient city about 21 km from the important Uaxactun archaeological site. The city’s ruins are filled with massive pyramids, elaborately carved monuments and figures, suggesting that the city was not only a settlement for the ancient Mayan people, but also an important ceremonial centre.

Even the name of the city is shrouded in mystery; Los Abuelos. The name of this newly discovered city was inspired by two human-like statues found in the area. It is thought that these figures date back to 500-300 BC and may be connected to “ancestor spirit worship” rituals. In other words, this is not just a city, but also the voice of the ancestors, a sacred center.

The Mayan civilization is known to have begun in 2000 BC. However, Los Abuelos dates to the Middle Preclassic period, between 800-500 BC, making it one of the oldest Mayan ceremonial centers found to date. Located in the Peten region of Guatemala, just 21 km from Uaxactun, this city covers a huge area of ​​16 square km.

A past submerged

Archaeologists have also found a giant 33-metre pyramid, Preclassic wall paintings and a mind-blowing canal system, meaning the city is not just magnificent, it’s also an engineering marvel.

The Mayan map is being redrawn

The Guatemalan Ministry of Culture says the discovery creates a previously unknown urban triangle between Tikal, Uaxactun and Los Abuelos, challenging what was previously known about Maya urban planning and ceremonial structures.

The connection between Tikal and Teotihuacan

Another excavation at Tikal in April found 1,000-year-old Teotihuacan altars at the same site, suggesting there may be stronger ties between the Maya and Mexico's ancient Teotihuacan culture than previously thought.

Source: SPUTNIK