7 new Maya sites found
2011-05-20 10:14
Mexico City - Mexican archaeologists discovered seven ancient Maya sites on Mexico's Yucatan peninsula.
The sites, named Oxmul, Polok Ceh, Nichak, Cuzam, Chan Much, Tzakan and Chankiuik, were found in the eastern edges of Merida, the capital city of the state of Yucatan, with just under one million residents.
Based on the finding, northern Yucatan was settled a lot earlier than was previously thought, Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (Inah) said late on Wednesday.
The project was part of an effort to protect Mexico's archaeological heritage from urban sprawl, the authorities said. There are some 170 recorded Maya sites within Merida's bounds.
The sites were located in an area of around 1 000ha in what is known as Sitpach, and they date from 400 BC to 200 AD, the Inah said. So far, experts believed that northern Yucatan was only settled from 200 AD.
Archaeologists found building structures, pieces of ceramics and human burial places at the seven sites, among others.
- SAPA