Deep within the Lacandon Jungle, researchers using LiDAR and ground-penetrating radar have identified a series of "Copal-Fused" stone benches used during the Maya Late Classic period. Analysis of the thick resin residues indicates these platforms hosted the "Festival of the Green Moon," a previously obscure ceremonial cycle dedicated to the ripening of young maize plants.
The benches are positioned in a circular formation around a central hearth where copal incense was burned in massive quantities. This discovery sheds light on the sensory nature of Maya festivals, where the combination of thick smoke, specific lunar alignments, and ritual seating created an immersive spiritual environment for agricultural deities.