Massive Mayan Palace Complex Unearthed in Mexico

Mexican archaeologists have uncovered a significant palace complex spanning 25 hectares near the Balamku archaeological zone. The complex includes pyramids, plazas, and numerous other structures that have yet to be fully explored.

During the construction of the Calakmul station in Mexico—a key part of a major infrastructure project connecting Escárcega to Chetumal—researchers discovered this ancient Mayan palace.

Situated approximately 3.5 km from the Balamku archaeological zone, the newly found complex is linked to the ancient Mayan city of Balamku.

Balamku was a prominent center from around 300 BC during the Late Preclassic Period through to the Late Classic Period, between 800 and 1000 AD. The site covers about 25 hectares and features pyramids, plazas, and other structures, many of which remain unexplored.

Archaeologist Juan Jesús Guadalupe García Ramírez, from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), emphasized the palace’s architectural significance, noting that its features are reminiscent of the Rio Bec and Chenes styles.

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The palace is built on a rectangular stone base with rounded corners and includes an internal courtyard surrounded by five finely crafted limestone structures.

A notable find within the complex is a limestone sculpture depicting Ah-Puh, a Mayan god associated with death and earthquakes.

Also known as Chizin, meaning “smelly,” this figure is characterized by distinct features, including a large phallus and a deformed skull. The sculpture was discovered in a circular structure at the center of the complex, alongside funerary offerings such as human remains and ceramic bowls.

To protect and preserve the site, INAH archaeologists carefully dismantled the structures. These will be relocated and reassembled nearby for public display in an interactive museum, ensuring that this vital piece of Mayan history remains accessible to future generations.