Have We Found All the Major Maya Cities? Not Even Close, New Research Suggests

Maya Researchers Have Only Scratched the Surface

A new study has found that we have only discovered a fraction of the major Maya cities in the Maya region. The study, published in the journal Antiquity, used a new method to identify potential Maya cities based on the presence of certain types of buildings and other features. The researchers then used satellite imagery to confirm the presence of these features at over 600 new sites.

The findings suggest that the Maya civilization was much larger and more complex than previously thought. The new cities are located in a variety of environments, from the tropical lowlands to the highlands. They also vary in size, from small villages to large urban centers.

Implications for Maya History

The discovery of these new cities has important implications for our understanding of Maya history. It suggests that the Maya civilization was much more diverse and resilient than previously thought. The new cities also provide new insights into the Maya's political and economic organization.

For example, the researchers found that many of the new cities were located near rivers and other water sources. This suggests that the Maya were able to adapt to a variety of environments and exploit the resources available to them.

The Need for Further Research

The discovery of these new Maya cities is a major breakthrough in our understanding of the Maya civilization. However, much more research is needed to fully understand the significance of these findings.

The researchers hope that their study will encourage other archaeologists to explore these new sites. They also hope that their findings will help to raise awareness of the importance of protecting Maya cultural heritage.

Conclusion

The discovery of these new Maya cities is a reminder that we have much to learn about the ancient Maya civilization. These new findings provide a glimpse into the complexity and diversity of the Maya world and suggest that there is much more to be discovered.