A high-resolution LiDAR survey conducted in the dense jungles of northern Guatemala has identified a sprawling 9th-century urban complex dedicated exclusively to the production and export of allspice. The site, located in a strategic transit corridor between Tikal and the coast, features hundreds of elevated stone-lined drying platforms and massive fortified storage vaults designed to protect the valuable spice from humidity and theft.
The mapping reveals that the Maya elite controlled a highly specialized economy for aromatic goods, using terraced orchards that spanned several miles. Archaeologists believe this mega-hub acted as a central collection point for trade caravans, highlighting the Maya's advanced understanding of large-scale agricultural processing and their sophisticated network for non-essential luxury goods.