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TIL about the big argument over that new Maya site in Guatemala
Last week I was reading about the El Mirador dig in northern Guatemala, where they found a huge ceremonial platform. Some experts say it proves the Maya had large scale urban planning 2,000 years ago, but others argue it was just a seasonal gathering spot. Has anyone else followed this debate and have a take on it?
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dakotacraig1mo ago
Oh man, this whole debate just reminds me of how people always need to put things in neat boxes. Tbh, we see it now with people arguing if a town is a "real city" or just a tourist spot. The strongest proof for El Mirador being permanent is probably the water systems and year-round homes they found, not just the big platform. It's like finding someone's full apartment and not just their vacation cabin.
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jordan3304d ago
I've heard similar debates around the Cahokia mounds in Illinois. What worked for me was @dakotacraig's point about the water systems vs just the platform. If you find year round water storage and stuff, that's a strong clue they lived there full time.
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