Piedras Negras, translating to “black stones” from Spanish, stands as a testament to the ingenuity and might of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization. Situated on the north bank of the Usumacinta River in the Petén department of northwestern Guatemala, this ancient city is recognized for its significant role among the Maya urban centers along the Usumacinta River.
Historical Places
Boca de Potrerillos
Boca de Potrerillos, an archaeological site located in Nuevo León, Mexico, stands as a testament to the rich cultural heritage and ancient history of the region. Situated approximately 60 km northeast of Monterrey, within the inter-sierra valleys of the Sierra Madre Oriental, this site spans an area of about 6 km². It is renowned for housing one of the largest concentrations of rock art in Mexico, predominantly in the form of petroglyphs, with an estimated 3,000 works documented in the area.
Chactún
In 2013, a significant archaeological discovery was made in the state of Campeche, Mexico, within the northern part of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. A team of Mexican and international experts from the Research Center of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts (ZRC SAZU) and Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), led by archaeologist Ivan Sprajc, uncovered an ancient Maya city known as Chactún, which translates to “Red Stone”. This discovery was facilitated by aerial photographs, revealing a site that had remained hidden due to its inaccessible location and dense vegetation. The project, supported by the National Geographic Society among others, marked a significant advancement in the understanding of the Maya civilization in this region.
Bilbao Mesoamerican site
Bilbao, a significant archaeological site, is situated approximately 1 mile from the contemporary town of Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa in the Escuintla department of Guatemala. This site, embedded within the lush sugar plantations of the Pacific coastal plain, marks a pivotal center of the Cotzumalhuapa culture during the Classic Period, particularly in the Late Classic era around AD 600–800.
El Perú Maya Site (Waka)
El Perú, also known as Waka’, stands as a testament to the grandeur of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization. Occupied from roughly 500 BC to 800 AD, this archeological site was the capital of a Maya city-state, strategically located near the banks of the San Pedro River in the Department of Petén, northern Guatemala. Approximately 60 km west of the renowned Tikal, El Perú’s significance in Maya history is undeniable.
Aguada Fénix
In June 2020, the archaeological world was captivated by the announcement of a groundbreaking discovery in the state of Tabasco, Mexico, near the border with Guatemala. The site, known as Aguada Fénix, was identified through an innovative aerial survey utilizing laser mapping technology. This monumental structure, a vast flattened mound nearly a mile in length and rising between 33 and 50 feet in height, has been recognized as the oldest and largest Mayan ceremonial site discovered to date.