The Mayans may have been more advanced than we originally thought.

A lot of significant events took place during the first millennium CE. Spanning a thousand years, this period witnessed the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, the transition to the Middle Ages, and some argue that it was the pinnacle of the Mayan civilization in Mesoamerica. However, thanks to remarkable technological advancements, our understanding of history has evolved. Archaeologists have discovered compelling evidence suggesting that the Mayan civilization may have originated much earlier than previously believed. Furthermore, they have found that the Mayan civilization was far more complex than initially thought. To delve deeper into this fascinating topic, one would have to venture into the dense Guatemalan rainforests.

Although the rainforests pose challenges in terms of accessibility, they hold the key to unraveling the truth about the Mayans. These rainforests have kept us in the dark for a long time, hindering our understanding of the Mayan civilization. However, recent discoveries shed light on the matter. One would expect to find ruins like those in Portugal, England, or the United States. Surprisingly, scientists have unearthed a network of 130 ft wide roads, painted white to aid travelers during the night. To put their size into perspective, these roads were approximately half the size of an American football field. This extensive network, spanning 110 miles, predates the previously known Mayan ruins. These roads, which sometimes traversed swampy terrain and were even elevated, are now being referred to as the world's first superhighways. Although there is no evidence of animal-powered vehicles, it is believed that the Maya utilized these roads to travel between the 964 settlements connected by this vast spiderweb-like network. Archaeologists have deduced that these roadways served as an intricate system for economic and social interactions, debunking the traditional notion of the Mayan pre-classic period dating back to 1, to 350 BCE.

The construction of these white highways required a significant amount of manpower and engineering expertise. Scientists believe that these causeways were built in a similar manner to the Mayans' construction of pyramids. Speaking of the impressive architectural pieces, we will discuss them shortly. Currently, scientists believe that the roads were constructed using a combination of mud and quarry stone, along with multiple layers of limestone. The discovery of this information was made possible through a new technology called LiDAR Imaging. Similar to how sonar technology maps the ocean bed using sound, LiDAR uses laser systems to create detailed maps. This mapping system allows researchers to see through and beyond the dense forest canopies, providing a sort of X-ray vision. This technological advancement has revolutionized our understanding of the Mayan civilization.

In the mid-20th century, lost Mayan cities began to be unearthed, including ruins from cities like Tall Pen and O. To provide some context, the Mayans were one of the largest pre-Columbian civilizations in the Americas. At its peak, the Mayan civilization consisted of over 40 cities with a population of millions of people. Their civilization spanned across Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, Guatemala, and Belize. Agriculture was their main source of sustenance, but the Yucatan Peninsula posed challenges for crop growth. As a result, the Maya developed a complex irrigation system in most of their cities. They constructed various ceremonial buildings, pyramids, and even courts for playing ball.

During its prime, the Mayan Empire held a significance comparable to modern-day cities like London or New York. The empire consisted of a collection of intricate monuments, totaling to 12,000 buildings. The north Acropolis, constructed around 350 BCE, stands as the oldest complex of monuments built solely by human hands. It served as the final resting place for kings and chiefs, with its towering monuments reaching heights of up to 200 ft. In the past, the step pyramid temples were adorned with a vibrant red color, a favorite among the Mayans. However, today, only the limestone remains visible. As we mentioned earlier, the Mayans expanded across various countries, so it is not surprising that Chichin is a 10-hour drive from Tial. There is no feud between the two cities; they simply served as different urban centers, much like New York and LA. Chichin boasts one of the best-preserved pyramids on Earth, dating back over 1,500 years.