New LiDAR mapping conducted over the dense jungles of the Puuc region in Yucatan has revealed a massive 8th-century industrial complex dedicated to limestone quarrying. The aerial survey identified hundreds of artificial platforms, ramp systems, and specialized stone-carving workshops that were previously hidden under the canopy. This suggests that the Maya had a highly centralized and large-scale manufacturing system for the monumental stones used in their iconic pyramids and palaces.
Ground-truth excavations at the site confirmed the presence of large quantities of stone-working tools, including obsidian chisels and basalt hammers. Archaeologists believe this hub served as a regional "factory," supplying pre-carved architectural elements to nearby urban centers like Uxmal. The sheer scale of the quarry indicates a level of industrial organization far more complex than previously estimated for the Late Classic period.