A team of expert archaeologists has unearthed compelling evidence that a remote ruin in the Mexican jungle could be the long-lost Mayan city of Sac Balam. Historically, Sac Balam served as the last stronghold of the Maya following the Spanish conquest.

This significant discovery was unveiled at a recent conference, where the Society for American Archaeology’s team shared insights that might provide a remarkable glimpse into the decline of the Maya civilization.

Professor Yuko Shiratori, an archaeologist at Japan’s Rissho University and the study’s lead researcher, stated in an interview with BBC Science Focus: “Life in Sakkubaram was undoubtedly challenging.” According to historical documents, more than 100 houses were recorded in the year 1694.

The name Sac Balam, translating to “white jaguar” in the Mayan language, was established in 1586 by the Lacandon Chol people as a sanctuary following the Spanish destruction of the regional capital, Lakum Tun.

Mayan culture thrived in this region for over 100 years, ultimately succumbing to Spanish rule in 1695. By 1712, the city fell into abandonment.

One of the most convincing pieces of evidence affirming this as a lost settlement is a wall measuring 16 meters (52 feet) long and 1 meter (3 feet) high. This structure aligns with historical Spanish accounts describing significant communal buildings in Sakbaram that would have hosted public events and gatherings.

Additionally, the archaeological team discovered pottery shards and monkey figurines that date back to the era of Sak Balam.

However, uncertainties remain about the authenticity of this site as a lost refuge. “We need to ascertain whether the 16-meter wall can support the notion of a building’s foundation,” said Shiratori. “To achieve this, we seek to employ AMS carbon dating to identify associated artifacts such as ceramics and charcoal, with a focus on incense burners.”

Spanish historical records indicate that Sakbaram was torched during the conquest. Consequently, a layer of ash beneath the soil could potentially validate whether this is genuinely a lost city.

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