A study has shown that hundreds of new archaeological sites in Mexico show how the Mayans borrowed a design trait from the Olmec civilization, which dates back more than 3,000 centuries ago.
Researchers have revealed that there are 478 ceremonial complexes that can’t be seen with the human eye in modern-day southern Mexico, but can be detected with lidar scanning technology.
The hundreds of ceremonial complexes are a combination of Maya and older Olmec sites, according to the study authors.
The Maya civilization was founded around 2600 BC and flourished in Central America for almost 3,000 years. It reached its peak between AD 250 and 900.
The Olmecs were a Mesoamerican civilization that occupied this land from around 250 BC to 2,500 BC.
Interestingly, despite the difference between when the Maya and Olmec structures were built, they share a similar design trait – with a focus on rectangular plazas flanked by platforms along the edges.
Comparison of the San Lorenzo rectangular hallmark (top-left) and MFUs in other structures (with Aguada Fénix top-right
Study author Melina García (front) excavates the central part of Aguada Fenix, the largest and oldest Maya monument ever uncovered. In 2020, a team of researchers reported on this discovery. The team has since uncovered nearly 500 smaller ceremonial complexes that are similar in shape and features to Aguada Fénix
Last year, a team of international researchers led University of Arizona reported that they had discovered the largest and most ancient Maya monument of all.
The site, called Aquada Fénix, is 4,600 feet long and up to 50 feet high, and was built between 800 BC and 1,000 BC.
Now, that same team has announced it’s since uncovered smaller ceremonial complexes that are similar in shape and features to Aguada Fénix, to give a total of 478, scattered across the Mexican states of Tabasco and Veracruz.
These complexes were likely constructed between 1100 BC & 400 BC. They were likely built by diverse groups between AD 250 & 950.
In their new paper, the researchers report that 478 square and rectangular formal complexes were identified through a lidar scan of the Olmec region.
Mesoamerican civilisations have long recognized the importance of cosmologies symbolizing city plans.
“The origins of formal spatial configurations are therefore the key to understanding early civilisations within the region.”
The team used lidar data collected by Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography, which covered a 32,800-square-mile area – about the same size as the whole of Ireland.
Aerial view of excavations at La Carmelita in Mexico, one of the nearly 500 sites that have been uncovered.
Researchers can study large areas with public lidar data before they use high-resolution lidar for more detailed studies.
Takeshi Inomata, University of Arizona study author said, ‘It was impossible to study an area as large until a couple of years ago. “Publicly accessible lidar is transforming archaeology.”
Lidar penetrates into the tree canopy and reflects three dimensional forms of archaeological features under the vegetation.
The researchers’ work suggests that San Lorenzo – the earliest center in the Olmec area – served as a template for later constructions, including Aguada Fénix.
Inomata stated that people have always believed San Lorenzo was unique and different from other sites.
‘But now we show that San Lorenzo is very similar to Aguada Fénix – it has a rectangular plaza flanked by edge platforms.
‘Those features become very clear in lidar and are also found at Aguada Fénix, which was built a little bit later.
“This shows us that San Lorenzo was very important in the beginning of some ideas that were later used to great effect by the Maya.
Aquada Fénix (depicted here in a lidar scan released in 2020) is 4,600 feet long, up to 50 feet high and was built between 800 BC and 1,000 BC, according to researchers
Inomata and his associates found sites that were used for ritual gathering, which they also believe.
These spaces include large open spaces in the center where many people can gather to participate in rituals.
The orientation of each site was also examined by the researchers. They found that they were aligned with the sunrise on a particular date when it is possible.
Inomata said that there were many exceptions. “For example, not all sites have enough space to place the rectangular forms in the desired direction, but they seem to have chosen specific dates when they can.”
Although it is not clear why these dates were chosen, it is possible that they are tied to Zenith passage day.
This is the moment when the sun passes directly overhead and it marks the start of the rainy season.
Inomata stressed the fact that this is just the beginning and that there are still many questions unanswered.
Nearly 500 ceremonial sites were found using lidar. They have been mapped across the study area
Researchers are still unsure what the social organization of the people who built these complexes was like.
San Lorenzo possibly had rulers, which is suggested by sculptures, but Aguada Fénix didn’t, and was likely a pretty egalitarian society.
Inomata said that despite having just begun to use ceramics, people were still mobile.
“People were transitioning to more settled lifeways and many of those areas likely didn’t have much hierarchy. However, they could still create this type of well-organized centre.
The debate continues over whether the Olmec civilization is responsible for the Maya’s development, or if they developed independently.
According to the team, the new discovery transforms our understanding of Mesoamerican civilization origins, and the relationship between the Olmec people and the Maya, according to their report. The journal Nature Human Behaviour.