Scientists Stumble on Oldest and Largest Maya Monumental Structure on Record While Shooting Lasers to Map Area
Around eight years ago researchers uncovered the oldest and largest Mayan monumental structure in southern Mexico. The site was uncovered after scientists shot lasers from a plane to map a particular area in Tabasco state, Live Science stated. It was later named Aguada Fénix and possibly served as a communal gathering place for Mayan groups. Findings regarding the site were published in Nature.
Sixty-nine samples were taken from the monument, which was later made to go through radiocarbon dating to find out about the structure's origin. According to examinations, the monument was in existence from 1000 to 800 B.C. This firmly makes the structure the earliest monument found from the Mayan civilization predating the next oldest one, a ceremonial complex and artificial plateau built at Ceibal by around 50 years, according to Live Science. The monument measured 400 meters wide, 1,400 meters long, and 10 to 15 meters high.
The whole structure appeared to be a huge platform that was elevated in stature, as per the study. The laser technology uncovered Aguada Fénix in a cattle ranch. The reason past researchers failed to discover the site was because it was so well concealed amongst the greenery. "Because it is so large horizontally if you walk on it, it just looks like a natural landscape," said University of Arizona archaeologist Takeshi Inomata, who led the research, The Guardian reported. "But its form comes out nicely in lidar." Nine gigantic causeways along with a hoard of reservoirs were found connected to the structure.
The LIDAR unveiled an artificial plateau and causeways linked with it. The plateau was around 151 million cubic feet (4.3 million cubic meters) in volume, much larger than any other early Mayan structure found to this date. "In other words, the main plateau of Aguada Fénix is the largest construction in the pre-Hispanic Maya area," the researchers wrote in the study. Further excavation in the site led to the unearthing of several jade and stone artifacts. These items were possibly used for rituals that were conducted in Aguada Fénix, as per experts.
Researchers further claimed that the monument was made of clay and earth which is a distinct feature, considering most early Mayan structures were created out of stones. Throughout the monument, the experts could find no evidence of sculptures depicting high-status individuals, which indicated that it was not built solely for elites. According to experts, individuals from all groups and sects gathered there. "It is probable that many people from surrounding areas gathered for special occasions, possibly tied to calendrical cycles," Inomata said. "The rituals probably involved processions along the causeways and within the rectangular plaza. The people also deposited symbolic objects such as jade axes in the center of the plateau."
The discovery changed the perspective of researchers regarding the history of Mayan civilization, Live Science reported. Before the finding experts believed that Mayans started building monuments when dynasties came into play, sometime between 350 B.C. and 250 B.C. But the monument in Tabasco was built much earlier. "It forced us to change our understanding of the development of Maya civilization and the development of human society in general," said Inomata.
Lisa Lucero, a professor of anthropology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, who was not involved with the study was not surprised that Early Mayan civilizations created a monument for general congregation. According to her, groups that led a nomadic lifestyle usually adopted this method of reuniting at a place for some time to share their stories and knowledge. Such practices did not require an elite leader and were facilitated by common folks. "Based on the different soils, it is likely that people from many different communities built Aguada Fénix, even bringing soils from their homes," she added.