JOURNAL ARTICLE

Have archaeologists found the long-lost Maya city of Sac Balam?: Architectural and geographic details match historic descriptions of the colonial, centuries-old jungle refuge.

Published In: Sciencemag.org, 2026. P. N.PAG 1 of 3
Database: Applied Science & Technology Source Ultimate 2 of 3
Authored By: Wade, Lizzie 3 of 3

Abstract

The article focuses on recent archaeological efforts to locate Sac Balam, a 16th-century Maya jungle refuge founded by the Lacandon Ch'ol in Chiapas, Mexico, after Spanish conquest. Researchers have identified the site known as Sol y Paraíso as a strong candidate for Sac Balam based on matching geographic descriptions, ceramic evidence, and the discovery of a 16-meter-long stone wall consistent with historical accounts of the city's communal buildings. While some experts remain cautious pending further evidence, ongoing excavations aim to uncover additional artifacts, including signs of colonial-era destruction and structures. The remote and ephemeral nature of the site suggests that confirming its identity may require extensive future research. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

Source:Sciencemag.org. 2026/05, pN.PAG
Document Type:Article
Subject Area:Social Sciences and Humanities
Publication Date:2026
Accession Number:193491965
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