Ruins of ancient Mayan city discovered at construction site

Archaeologists have uncovered the ruins of an ancient Mayan city full of palaces, pyramids and plazas at a construction site in Mexico.

The site eventually becomes an industrial park near Merida on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.

But for now, it’s a unique glimpse into an ancient culture.

Named Xiol, the site has features of the Maya-Puuc style of architecture, common in the southern Yucatan Peninsula but rare near Merida, archaeologists say.

“We think more than 4,000 people lived here,” said Carlos Peraza, one of the archaeologists who led the excavation in the city, which is estimated to have been inhabited between AD 600 and 900

“There were people from different social classes…priests, scribes who lived in these big palaces, and there were also the common people who lived in small buildings,” Peraza said.

Researchers also located nearby burial sites of adults and children buried with obsidian and flint tools, offerings, and other items.

Remains of marine life have also been discovered in the area, suggesting that the town’s residents supplemented their agricultural diet by fishing off the nearby coast.

Xiol was discovered after construction of an industrial park began. This is still under construction, although the archaeological remains remain, according to the property owners.

“Over time, urban sprawl (in the area) has increased and many of the archaeological remains have been destroyed…but even we as archaeologists are surprised because we didn’t expect to find such a well-preserved site,” Peraza said.

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