Archaeologists said the site, called Seal, features Mayan bok-style architecture, which is common in the southern Yucatan peninsula but rare near Merida.
“We think more than 4,000 people lived here,” said Carlos Peraza, one of the archaeologists who led the excavations of the city, which is estimated to have been inhabited between AD 600 and 900.
“There were people of different social classes … priests and clerks who lived in these great palaces, and there were also commoners who lived in small buildings,” Peraza added.
The researchers also discovered nearby tombs of adults and children buried with obsidian and flint tools and other artifacts.
Traces of marine life were also discovered in the area, indicating that the city’s residents relied for their food, which was mainly based on agriculture, also on fishing along the nearby coast.
SIAL was discovered after construction began on an industrial park. The authorities said that work on the construction of the park will continue while preserving the archaeological ruins.
“Over time, urban sprawl (in the area) has grown and many archaeological sites have been destroyed…But even we as archaeologists are surprised, because we did not expect to find such a well-preserved site,” Peraza said.
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