A recent incident involving a German tourist highlighted ongoing security issues at archaeological sites in Mexico. This tourist was escorted from a Mayan pyramid after climbing it and evading security. In related news, an international team of archaeologists announced the discovery of an ancient Maya city called “Los Abuelos,” located in a northeastern region of Guatemala. Dating back nearly 3,000 years, Los Abuelos served as a ritual center and is notable for its ancient human-like sculptures, referred to as an “ancestral couple.”
The site, along with two neighboring sites—Petnal and Cambrayal—forms an urban triangle considered critical for understanding the origins of Maya society in the Petén region. This area, which borders Mexico and Belize, is rich in tropical forests and archaeological remains. The Mayan civilization, which flourished in modern-day Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, and Honduras, has its roots going back 4,000 years, with a significant focus on Guatemala’s lowlands.
Recent findings indicate that Los Abuelos was inhabited as early as 800 B.C., contributing to our knowledge of the Maya, whose urban centers began to decline around 900 A.D. Additional discoveries in nearby sites included a sophisticated canal system and a large pyramid adorned with murals.
The excavation is part of the Uaxactún Archaeological Project, a long-term effort aimed at expanding research across a vital region of Mayan history. Uaxactún, one of the earliest sites studied, continues to be important for modern Mesoamerican studies and is located within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Maya Biosphere Reserve.
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