Guatemala's Ministry of Culture announced the discovery of an ancient Mayan city in northern Guatemala on Thursday, May 29, 2025. The city, named "Los Abuelos," dates back over 2,800 years. It is located near the Uaxactún archaeological site in Petén.
The city spans approximately 16 square kilometers and is considered one of the most important Preclassic centers in the region. "Los Abuelos" features notable architectural planning, including seven pyramid complexes and astronomical observatories. Twelve stone monuments were also found at the site.
Archaeologists discovered two anthropomorphic sculptures at the site, representing an ancestral couple. These sculptures, dating from 500 to 300 BC, suggest ancient ritual practices of ancestor worship. The discovery was made by Guatemalan and Slovak archaeologists from the Comenius University of Bratislava.