Using high-resolution LiDAR mapping, researchers have identified a monumental Pre-Classic Maya temple structure hidden under centuries of vegetation in Guatemala's Mirador Basin. Named the Temple of the Celestial Waters, the structure stands over 30 meters tall and is part of a larger ceremonial complex connected by ancient causeways (sacbeob).
Preliminary ground inspections have revealed massive stucco masks flanking the central stairway, representing the Rain God Chaac. The temple’s design suggests it was used for public spectacles and astronomical observations related to the agricultural cycle. The discovery confirms that the Mirador Basin was home to much larger and more sophisticated urban centers than previously estimated for the 5th century BCE.