Using high-resolution satellite analysis, researchers have identified a sprawling 1,400-year-old industrial zone in the heart of the Petén jungle dedicated to copal-resin processing. This "incense factory" consists of dozens of stone platforms and specialized drying vaults where the sacred resin was prepared for use in major Maya ceremonial centers throughout the Classic period.
The survey reveals that the site was strategically located near dense groves of copal trees, with a network of paved causeways used to transport the finished product to nearby cities. This discovery provides new insights into the economic importance of ritual commodities and the large-scale logistical coordination required for Maya religious life.