A new LiDAR survey in the Petén Basin has identified a previously unknown 12-mile causeway nicknamed the "Jaguar-Step" by researchers. The road connects a series of small shrines to a massive central plaza, which appears to have been the site of a Solar Zenith festival. The alignment of the causeway suggests it was designed to guide processional dancers during the summer solstice.
The LiDAR data revealed that the causeway is elevated and flanked by low stone walls carved with feline motifs. This discovery provides critical evidence for how ancient Maya communities synchronized their religious calendars with agricultural cycles, turning the dense jungle into a massive stage for celestial celebrations.