Discovery of Ocomtún: An ancient Maya City uncovered

Archaeologist Dr. Ivan Šprajc, renowned for his extensive work in discovering forgotten Maya cities in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, has made a significant revelation that is gaining global attention. Over nearly three decades, Dr. Šprajc has navigated the perilous jungles of this intricate landscape, overcoming various challenges posed by wildlife and the harsh environment.

Dr. Šprajc, likened to a contemporary Indiana Jones, expressed the passion that drives him: “You need to be a little crazy for this work.” His motivations are driven by the quest to unveil historical treasures that have remained obscured for centuries. His earlier efforts led to the discovery of the city of Chactún, which housed approximately 40,000 inhabitants and dated to the 8th century, as well as other urban centres such as Lagunita and Tamchén.

The archaeological community has now turned its focus to Ocomtún, the latest site discovered by Dr. Šprajc and his team. Nestled in Mexico’s Balamkú Ecological Conservation Zone, the remains of this ancient city include pyramid-shaped structures towering over 15 metres, alongside cylindrical columns that inspired the city’s name, which translates to “stone column” in Yucatec Maya. Initial examinations of the pottery indicate habitation during the period between 600 and 800 CE.

Dr. Šprajc revealed to BBC Travel that Ocomtún represents a critical milestone in the mapping of the Maya civilization. He described the area as the “last major black hole on the archaeological map of the central Maya Lowlands,” lacking any previously documented sites in an expanse of some 3,000 to 4,000 square kilometres. The understanding of the Maya civilization, notably their rise and abrupt decline, could potentially see expansive growth due to this discovery.

The Maya, one of the most distinguished civilizations in Mesoamerican history, thrived between 200 and 900 CE, creating remarkable architectural feats, sophisticated mathematical systems, and a written language predating European influences. They are iconic for their grand cities such as Tikal, Uaxactún, and Copán and were also astute astronomers and mathematicians, having developed an intricate calendar system that outperformed the Julian calendar by nearly two millennia.

Dr. Šprajc’s work, particularly the excavations at Ocomtún, may provide insights into the socio-political dynamics of the Maya and the reasons behind their civilizational collapse in the 8th and 9th centuries. Speculations regarding warfare, climatic changes and environmental degradation have been prominent discussions among scholars studying this ancient culture.

The archaeological significance of Ocomtún lies not only in its sheer size and architecture but also in understanding the adaptive strategies of the Maya as they migrated from coastal areas to inland cities, and eventually abandoned these settlements. Noteworthy findings include a monumental nucleus, multiple plazas, and a court for their ancient ball game, suggesting its status as a politically significant centre.

An anthropology professor and Maya expert, Dr. M Kathryn Brown, commented that despite extensive research in the Maya region, the continued discoveries underscore the effectiveness of technologies such as Lidar in revealing previously hidden sites and valuable urban layouts.

Today, despite historic decimations during the Spanish conquest, the Maya culture endures, with an estimated six to eight million individuals identifying as Maya across Central America. The revelations from Ocomtún hold the potential to illuminate the reasons for the migration and eventual depopulation of Maya communities during complex societal transitions.

Dr. Šprajc’s dedication to uncovering the past will continue, as he plans further explorations of the Yucatán. As he remarked, there remains an irreplaceable thrill in such discoveries, stemming from perseverance through challenges and the awe of encountering ancient monumental structures amidst the dense jungle. The ongoing interplay between technology and traditional archaeological methods promises more exciting revelations concerning the enigmatic history of the Maya civilization.