A Stunning Stone
Archaeologists have revealed that they have excavated a stone slab that contains 123 hieroglyphic cartouches.
Source: The Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico
This stunning stone slab was discovered at an ancient pyramid in Mexico that was first made during the Mayan civilization.
A Discovery in an Old Pool
This finding was first found in the archaeological zone called Cobá, which is located on the Yucatán Peninsula’s eastern side.
Source: Laslovarga/Wikimedia Commons
Researchers first saw this stone at the bottom of what used to be a pool in this ancient Mayan pyramid site.
Uncovering This Stone’s Secrets
Archaeologists have explained that this very large stone slab is about 118 square feet. It also has 123 hieroglyphic characters on one panel of the rock.
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These hieroglyphics were carved directly onto this stone slab during the ancient Mayan civilization’s reign.
Translating the Slab
Though researchers have revealed that they still have a lot of work to do, they have admitted that they’ve already begun to translate the hieroglyphics on this remarkable stone slab.
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So far, they’ve found that part of this slab details the creation and founding of Keh Witz Nal, a Mayan town, on May 12, 569 AD.
A Lost Mayan City
This lost Mayan city’s name translates to “Deer Mountain.”
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This interesting discovery has excited archaeologists, as they now are seeking to uncover where this ancient city may have once existed. However, the exact location of this long-lost city may still remain a mystery to researchers.
An Ancient Mayan Civilization
Through this excavation of the Cobá site, archaeologists have been able to make many marvelous discoveries — most recently that of a long-lost city.
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This Mayan culture likely came up around 100 BC and lasted until possibly 1,200 AD. Researchers believe that this specific site may have held up to 50,000 people at one point.
Mexico’s Largest Pyramid
Perhaps most notably, the Cobá site contains the Nohoch Mul pyramid — also known as the largest pyramid in all of Mexico.
Source: Gautier Poupeau/Wikimedia Commons
This exceptional ancient Mayan pyramid has long fascinated researchers, and ongoing excavations have revealed more secrets about this ancient site and past civilization.
Other Discoveries From the Slab
While researchers are very excited about the discovery of this long-lost Mayan city, they’re also thrilled about what else the slab uncovered.
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According to archaeologists, the stone rock also details information about ancient Maya rulers and their reigns.
Understanding Mayan Rulers From the Past
This slab named a new Cobá ruler called K’awiil Ch’ak Cheen. Before the discovery of this stone, archaeologists had no idea a ruler by this name existed.
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Therefore, this rock has made multiple amazing discoveries for researchers.
A Mayan Dynasty
Thanks to this discovery, researchers now believe that rulers in this region long ago often adopted the name of K’awiil, the Maya god of lightning.
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Though only 14 rulers of Cobá have been discovered so far, this recent name further shows that using the god of lightning’s name may have helped them protect this site and their people.
The Hunt for a Lost Mayan City
Now, researchers are ready to learn more about Deer Mountain — and where this lost Mayan city may have existed.
Source: Matt Hanns Schroeter/Unsplash
Though the slab hasn’t given any detail of the town’s location, archaeologists are hoping that additional deciphering of this slab will point them in the right direction.