Lost ancient Mayan city discovered in the dense, remote jungle of Mexico by archaeologists

• Archaeologists have discovered the remains of an ancient Mayan city in Mexico.
• The site sprawls had several pyramid-like structures measuring around 50 feet.

Archaeologists have discovered the remains of an ancient Mayan city deep in the jungles of Mexico.

The previously unknown village was discovered in the Yucatán Peninsula by a team from the Archeology Council of the National Institute of Anthropology and History.

The site sprawls has several pyramid-like structures measuring around 50 feet in height, Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History said.

The site must have been an important center of the Central Lowlands during the Classic period dating back between 250 AD and 1000 AD, researchers said, based on ceramic collected from the site.

Led by archaeologist Ivan Sprajc, the team undertook a 60-kilometer, or roughly 37-mile, journey through the dense vegetation of the Balamkú ecological reserve in the Campeche state.

"The biggest surprise turned out to be the site located on a 'peninsula' on high ground, surrounded by extensive wetlands," Ṡprajc said in a statement.

"Its monumental nucleus covers more than 50 hectares and has various large buildings, including several pyramidal structures over 15 meters [50 feet] high."

The cylindrical columns are believed to be entrances to the upper rooms.

The researchers named the site Ocomtún, meaning "stone column" in the Mayan language.

"It is possible that they are markets or spaces destined for community rituals, but only future research will shed light on the functions of these groups, which represent a regional peculiarity," Sprajc said.

Sprajc said that the site most likely underwent changes between 800 and 1000 AD and then experienced the collapse of the Lowland Maya civilization in the 10th century.

Mexico's National Institute for Anthropology and History said that the discovery was made partly through airborne laser scanning carried out by the University of Houston, which helped locate the site in an area spanning 3,000 sq km, or roughly 1158 sq m, of the uninhabited jungle.

The Maya are considered to have been one of the most advanced civilizations in the Western hemisphere before the arrival of European settlers.

They lived in an area that now encompasses parts of modern Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize and were known for their impressive architecture, love of ball games, advanced calendar systems, writing, and mathematics.