A team of international researchers using LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology has identified a massive Maya ceremonial complex in the dense jungles of Guatemala. The site, which dates to the Late Classic period, features a series of pyramids and platforms specifically aligned with the rising and setting of the planet Venus.
The mapping revealed a sprawling urban grid surrounding the central plaza, including residential districts and advanced water management reservoirs. This finding suggests the city was an important hub for astronomical observation and ritual activity, reinforcing the central role that celestial movements played in Maya political and religious life.