Recent excavations at Tikal, a prominent Mayan city in Guatemala, have revealed unsettling clues about a dark chapter in Mesoamerican history. The discovery of an altar with infant skeletons within a residential complex has shed new light on the connection between the Maya and the distant city of Teotihuacan in Mexico.
Professor Stephen Houston from Brown University, co-author of a study published in Ancient, suggests that this finding signifies a significant foreign influence on the Mayan civilization, indicating a deeper penetration of Teotihuacan’s empire into Mayan territory.
The altar, dating back to the late 4th century, bears striking similarities to Teotihuacan’s religious structures, further emphasizing the foreign influence on Mayan practices. The presence of sacrificial offerings, including infants, around the altar mirrors Teotihuacan’s rituals, suggesting a deliberate effort to activate the sacred space.
The site also reveals graves with unique burial customs reminiscent of Teotihuacan, hinting at a larger foreign enclave established during a period of upheaval in Tikal’s history. The deliberate burial of the complex and its subsequent abandonment indicate a sense of taboo and emotional distance from the area, possibly due to the traumatic events associated with foreign domination.
As researchers continue to explore the site, more mysteries and revelations are expected to unfold, providing a deeper understanding of the impact of foreign powers on local civilizations and the enduring legacy of their influence.
For more information, you can visit Professor Houston’s profile and explore further studies on Mesoamerican archaeology.
Source: www.sciencefocus.com