In the dense jungles of southern Mexico, an ancient Maya city, previously unknown, has been uncovered, revealing what is believed to be a significant center from over a thousand years ago, according to the country’s anthropology institute.

This newly discovered city boasts remarkable features, including grand pyramid-like structures, stone columns, three plazas adorned with impressive buildings, and an array of structures arranged in near-concentric circles, as described by the INAH institute, NBC News reported.

Referred to as Ocomtún, meaning “stone column” in the Yucatec Maya language, the city is thought to have held great importance for the central lowland region of the peninsula between 250 and 1000 AD.

Situated within the Balamku ecological reserve on the Yucatán Peninsula, the city was unearthed during an exploration of an extensive and mostly uncharted expanse of jungle, surpassing the size of Luxembourg.

The search, conducted between March and June, utilized advanced aerial laser mapping technology known as LiDAR.

The Maya civilization, renowned for its sophisticated mathematical calendars, once thrived across southeastern Mexico and parts of Central America.

However, a widespread political collapse precipitated its decline long before the arrival of Spanish conquistadors, who ultimately conquered the last remaining stronghold in the late 17th century.

Written by staff