A new LiDAR survey of the dense Petén jungle in Guatemala has identified a unique architectural complex consisting of elevated stone platforms and large, netted enclosures. Researchers believe this site served as a 1,200-year-old Maya bird-migration observatory, used to track the seasonal movement of quetzals and macaws for ritual purposes.
The mapping reveals that the observatory was aligned with specific solar corridors, allowing Maya priests to predict arrival dates of rare species. This discovery underscores the profound environmental knowledge and spiritual connection the Maya maintained with the local fauna beyond simple agriculture.