In the jungle of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, archaeologists have found Mayan Palace. The find was made near the ancient city called Koulouba (Kulub).
the length of the structure is 55 meters, width – 15 meters height – 6 meters, clarifies in a press release, specialists from the National Institute of anthropology and history of Mexico.
preserved In the Palace stairs, pilasters (decorative columns) and a basement.
According to experts, the Palace was inhabited by the local elite twice – in the late classic period (600-900 ad) and the so-called terminal classic period (800-1050 ad).
Actually, for the first time about the existence of the Palace, archaeologists began in the 1930s and 1940s. However, just now researchers have been able to clear the area around and confirm the existence of a large-scale construction.
According to the archaeologist Alfredo Barrera Rubio (Alfredo Barrera Rubio), the architecture of the settlement Koulouba was like the legendary cultural center of the Mayan Chichen Itza, and another city of Ek Balam.
“in the terminal classic period Chichen Itza became a metropolis in the North-East of the present Yucatan, and extended its influence to such places as Koulouba,” says the scientist.
He added that in Kulube were found such as ceramic and obsidian products, as in Chichen Itza. Moreover, they were made in one place. This suggests that Koulouba, perhaps, was the enclave of Chichen Itza.
Another interesting discovery: the Palace was found the so-called secondary burial. The researchers found the remains of people who were originally buried elsewhere.
the Samples sent to the lab: scientists hope to determine the sex and age of the people and the cause of their death. Maybe the tests will help to identify pathology and to collect new data about the way of life of the Maya.
Now, an interdisciplinary team conducts the excavation, and mapping and topographical work on the area 234 gektara.
Near the Palace, there are several other buildings of the pre-Hispanic period: the altar, two residential buildings and a circular structure is probably oven. These and other such findings will help to restore the resettlement scheme Kulubi.
Experts say: to carry out excavations in the impenetrable forest – it is very difficult. Besides, humid environment is not conducive to the preservation of ancient buildings.
However, dense vegetation can come to the aid of scientists. They want to transplant some of the trees so that those defending the design (first colored portion) from the sun and wind.
by the Way, archaeologists conducting work in Kulube also pay special attention to the restoration of the two buildings. The first is part of another Palace, which was discovered and explored Alfredo Barrera Rubio. The floor in this building is a field for the game patolli, which was popular among the peoples of pre-Columbian America, including the Mayans and the Aztecs.
the Palace, where it was discovered in patolli.Photo Mauricio Marat, INAH.
the Second significant building – “Temple U”. This T-shaped building with interesting features – carved stones, covered with plaster that are shaped like the letter U. These decorative elements give the wall the appearance of snake scales, the scientists explain. They suggest that the U-shaped elements were a symbol of the jaws of “earth monster” Tlaltecuhtli.
“Temple U”, discovered in 2000.Photo Mauricio Marat, INAH.
earlier, the “Vesti.Science” (nauka.vesti.ru) told about the discovery in a deep lake the water Temple Maya. We wrote about the fact that the Kukulkan pyramid in the center of Chichen Itza was a giant doll, as well as scanning of the jungle helped discover tens of thousands of Mayan buildings.
Text: News.Science