Using high-resolution LiDAR technology, researchers have mapped a sprawling industrial complex hidden beneath the jungle of the Mirador-Calakmul Karst Basin in Guatemala. The site has been identified as a specialized center for the mass production of volcanic-tuff bricks, which were essential for the monumental construction of late-classic Maya pyramids.
The survey revealed thousands of standardized cutting templates and stone-lined pits used for the tempering and shaping of volcanic material. This 'mega-factory' suggests that Maya architecture relied on a highly decentralized and standardized industrial base, allowing for the rapid assembly of massive ceremonial centers through pre-fabricated building materials.