Archaeologists working in the X’baatún eco-archaeological zone of Tekal de Venegas, Yucatán, have uncovered a significant find: a palatial structure alongside residential platforms. This discovery sheds new light on the ancient Mayan settlement and updates our understanding of the site, first registered in the Archaeological Atlas of Yucatán in 1980.
Details of the Discovery
The newly unearthed structure stands 12 meters high and features intricate construction elements, such as stairs and multiple entrances. A looting pit was also identified at its summit. Drone technology played a vital role in locating these elite platforms, which are positioned near the site’s perimeter wall. A topographic survey led by Héctor Hernández, a professor at the Autonomous University of Yucatán (UADY), and three students is further detailing the site.
Although the area is known to have been occupied from the late Preclassic period (300 BC–200 AD) to the early Postclassic (1000–1200 AD), the specific timeline of this new discovery is still being determined.
The X’baatún Project
The discovery is part of an ongoing effort to study X’baatún, an ancient Mayan settlement spanning 5.5 square kilometers. The project began in 2018 as a collaboration between an ecotourism society managing Oxwatz Park and an international archaeological team from Spain and Mexico. With support from Mexico’s Ministry of Culture, the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), and its Archaeology Council, six field seasons have already yielded valuable insights.
Juan García Targa, co-director of the project, likened the site’s core area—spanning eight hectares near a waterhole—to the scale of ancient Roman Barcelona. Initial data from the Izamal Project (1994–2005) identified 22 structures, but recent topographic studies using drones have increased that count significantly.
The site’s most prominent structure measures 45 meters in length and 17 meters in height, with features indicating a palatial purpose. INAH collaborator Geiser Gerardo Martín Medina confirmed that the core includes 35 to 40 structures, with additional residential units beyond the perimeter wall.
Expanding the Understanding of X’baatún
The X’baatún Project is not limited to identifying structures. It seeks to unravel the broader layout, material composition, and chronological evolution of the settlement. “Each season brings new surprises,” said García Targa, emphasizing the richness of the site’s historical layers. The project’s name, X’baatún, means “place where water is collected” in Mayan—a fitting homage to the region’s cultural and geographical significance.
As researchers continue their work, this discovery offers a deeper glimpse into the Mayan civilization and promises to enhance our collective knowledge of their architectural and societal achievements.
Source: Por Esto
