The largest man-made public building at the Aguada Phoenix site, discovered by aerial laser survey (rider) and ground exploration, is a large platform 1413 meters north-south, 399 meters east-west, and 15 meters high.It was so huge that it could not be confirmed from the ground so far.A total of nine paved roads with a width of 50 to 100 meters and a maximum length of 6.3 kilometers were constructed around this public building, and an artificial reservoir was placed.Archaeological excavations and radiocarbon dating of 9 samples revealed that large public buildings were built, expanded and renovated from 69 BC to 1000 BC, shortly after the beginning of living and earthenware use.

　Traditional theory considered that the classical period (250-950) established by the Maya dynasties was the heyday of the Mayan civilization.The large public building at the Aguada Phoenix site far surpasses the classical temple pyramids in terms of building volume, and has been confirmed to be the largest building in the entire Mayan civilization history before the 16th century when the Spaniards invaded. rice field.

　The vertical temple pyramids of the classical Maya civilization showed off the power of the kings.On the other hand, the flat platform in the middle of the pre-classical period before the kings were embraced is said to be a place of ritual for the community in which people participate and symbolize the unity of the group.It is said that the collaborative work of large-scale architecture played an important role in creating the identity of the group during the great turning point when the sedentary life began.

Paper information:[Nature] Monumental architecture at Aguada Fénix and the rise of Maya civilization