Using high-resolution LiDAR technology, a multinational team of researchers has mapped a sprawling industrial complex hidden beneath the dense canopy of the northern Petén Highlands. The site, dated to the Terminal Classic period, has been identified as a 'Maya Obsidian-Core Tempering Laboratory,' a facility dedicated to the thermal treatment of volcanic glass to enhance its flaking properties for weapon production.
The mapping reveals a series of circular stone structures and specialized high-heat cooling vats connected by stone-lined subterranean vents. Excavations at the site confirmed the presence of large quantities of debitage from the production of 'prismatic cores,' indicating that this was a state-controlled center for high-performance lithic technology intended for elite military units across the Maya lowlands.