Archaeologists have uncovered a previously unknown Maya city hidden beneath the dense jungle canopy in the Mexican state of Campeche. The discovery was made using LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology, which penetrates vegetation to reveal ancient structures.
The site, which has been named "Ocomtún" (Maya for "stone column"), features monumental buildings, including pyramid-like structures, plazas, and an array of cylindrical stone columns. According to a statement from Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), the city likely flourished during the Classic period (250–1000 AD).
The research team, led by archaeologist Ivan Šprajc, found evidence of a ball game court, altars, and complex water management systems. The discovery was part of a project aimed at documenting the little-explored central lowlands of Campeche.
LiDAR surveys revealed a landscape densely modified by the Maya, with terraces, walls, and causeways connecting settlements. The findings shed new light on the extent of Maya urbanism and their adaptation to the tropical environment.
