Nearly 3,000-year-old Mayan complex discovered, featuring pyramids and canals
Archaeologists have discovered the remains of a nearly 3,000-year-old Mayan complex in Guatemala, revealing sanctuaries, pyramids and a unique canal system that could shed further light on the ancient civilization, the country's culture minister said Thursday.
The complex was discovered across three sites — Los Abuelos, Petnal and Cambrayal — near the significant Mayan site of Uaxactún in the Petén region of northern Guatemala, the ministry said in a statement.
The Mayan civilization arose around 2,000 BC and reached its height between 400 and 900 AD, predominantly in modern-day Mexico and Guatemala. During its height, people built temples, roads, pyramids and other monuments, and developed complex systems of writing, mathematics and astronomy.
Los Abuelos, which means 'The Grandparents' in Spanish, lies around 13 miles (21 kilometers) from Uaxactún and gets its name from two human-like rock figures found at the site, believed to represent an 'ancestral couple,' the ministry said.
These figures, along with several sacred sanctuaries, suggest it was an important site for Mayan rituals, said Luis Rodrigo Carrillo, Guatemala's vice minister of culture and sports, in a press briefing announcing the findings.
'Located here is one of the most important ritual centers in the region, with notable sanctuaries, helping to reassess our understanding of Mayan history,' the ministry said in a video announcing the discovery.
East of Los Abuelos lies Petnal, which features a 33-meter-high (108-foot) pyramid. At its peak are two preserved rooms adorned with murals depicting various symbolic representations, Carrillo said.
In Cambrayal, around three miles (4.8 kilometers) from Los Abuelos, scientists also identified 'unique' water canals inside a palace, marking a notable discovery, the ministry said.
'These sites form a previously unknown urban triangle whose existence we were unaware of until now… These new archeological discoveries constitute a testament of Mayan culture's greatness, which today we are making known to the whole world,' the ministry said.
The discoveries were made by Guatemalan and Slovak archaeologists, alongside international experts, as part of the Uaxactún Regional Archaeological Project (PARU) and with backing from Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia, officials said.
While rare, discoveries of new Mayan sites still occasionally happen, thanks to new research and technological improvements.
In April, archaeologists uncovered a mysterious 1,700-year-old altar containing human remains in the nearby ancient city of Tikal, approximately 23 kilometers (14 miles) south of Uaxactún. Although discovered in a ruined Mayan city, archaeologists believe it wasn't decorated by Mayans, but was instead the work of artists trained hundreds of miles away in Teotihuacan.
Scientists in recent years have also detected new sites using laser mapping technology, revealing the interconnectivity of Mayan cities, towns and villages.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Boston Globe
13 hours ago
- Boston Globe
What 4,000-year-old DNA revealed about how ancient societies interacted
'This finding was quite interesting because we actually know from archaeology that the Egyptian and the eastern-Persian cultures influenced each other for millennia,' Adeline Morez Jacobs, lead author of the new study, said in a media briefing. They shared domesticated animal farming practices and writing systems, for instance. But we now know that 'below the network of ideas was a complex network of people moving and intermixing with the local population,' said Jacobs, a researcher at Liverpool John Moores University and the Francis Crick Institute. Advertisement While artifacts have provided a general understanding of Egyptian life, genetic analysis has been scarce. One big issue has been heat degrading many DNA samples. Due to poor DNA preservation, only three ancient Egyptian individuals have had their genomes partially sequenced. Those samples were also more recent, dating more than 1,000 years after this one. Now, with improved technology, scientists were able to analyze the full genome of a man buried in Nuwayrat village, about 165 miles south of Cairo, who was excavated more than 100 years ago and then housed at the World Museum Liverpool. Researchers were able to glean details about life for someone outside of royalty - although a laborer, the man had the more elaborate burial of someone in a higher social class, which probably helped preserve the DNA. Advertisement 'It's only over the past 10 to 15 years … we've really learned how to take really minute samples from ancient skeletons [to] maximize our chance of retrieving DNA,' Linus Girdland-Flink, a coauthor and archaeogeneticist at the University of Aberdeen, said in the briefing. The remains were found in a pottery vessel placed inside a rock-cut tomb (before widespread artificial mummification), which probably kept the DNA unusually well-preserved at a stable temperature. The team analyzed his dental tissue, which locks the teeth into the jaw, a location that is particularly good at preserving DNA. Radiocarbon dating indicated he probably lived between 2855 and 2570 BC - during an interesting shift in Egyptian history. Upper and Lower Egypt were united a few centuries earlier, followed by a major leap in centralized rule and architecture. The beginning of this golden age of innovation, known as the Old Kingdom, marked notable pyramid construction, including the first step-pyramid complex of King Djoser and the Great Pyramid of Giza. 'This genome allows us, for the first time, to get insights into the genetic ancestry of an ancient Egyptian individual from the Old Kingdom period,' Jacobs said. The researchers took seven DNA extracts from the man, two of which were preserved well enough to be fully sequenced. They analyzed and compared those samples to a library of 3,233 present-day and 805 ancient individuals. Advertisement The team found 80 percent of the genome was linked to individuals in North Africa, suggesting mainly an emergence from the local population, Jacobs said. The remaining 20 percent of his ancestry could be traced to people in the eastern Fertile Crescent, particularly Mesopotamia (roughly modern-day Iraq). The findings provide 'genetic evidence that people moved into Egypt and mixed with local populations at this time, which was previously only visible in archaeological [artifacts],' according to a news release from the Francis Crick Institute. The study focused only on one man, and scientists acknowledged more individual genome sequences would need to be analyzed for a complete picture of Egyptian ancestry at that time DNA analysis even further back - before the introduction of agriculture in Egypt - could help pinpoint when the ancestry began spreading beyond the local population, said Harald Ringbauer, a population geneticist at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, who was not involved in the study. 'That would help resolve whether the Levantine-like ancestry component spread with the adoption of farming - or has deeper roots in North East Africa,' Ringbauer said in an email. Still, the man who is the focus of the study is intriguing on his own. Analyzing the skeleton, the researchers could tell he lived to a relatively old age for that time - potentially in his mid-60s. That would be the equivalent of someone living into their 80s today, said coauthor Joel Irish. Features on his skull and pelvis indicated arthritis and a high degree of osteoporosis in his bones. From the back of his skull and vertebrae, the researchers determined that he looked down and leaned forward a lot in his lifetime. Muscle markings on his arms and shoulders show that he was holding his arms in front of him for long periods of time, along with evidence of squatting on his ankles - probably placing him as a potter. Advertisement But his burial would be unusual for a potter. This manner - in the rock-cut tomb and a large pottery vessel - is typically reserved for someone in the upper class. 'That's interesting because it's also at odds with the fact that he had an incredibly hard physical life,' Irish, a dental anthropologist at Liverpool John Moores University, said in the briefing. Other researchers said the findings were a significant step forward in ancient-DNA analysis and our understanding of Egyptian history. For instance, royal dynasties were shown to have rather limited gene pools because of their high inbreeding, said Yehia Gad, emeritus professor of molecular genetics at National Research Center in Egypt, who was not involved in the research.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Yahoo
Is Quest Diagnostics Stock a Smart Pick for Your Portfolio Now?
Quest Diagnostics Inc. DGX is investing in advanced diagnostics to deliver and scale innovative services that improve patient care and drive growth. The company's growth strategy includes pursuing value-creating, strategically aligned acquisitions using a disciplined investment approach. A strong focus on cost management adds to the the company continues to navigate a shifting U.S. healthcare system marked by several inherent risks. A rising debt burden is also concerning. In the past year, this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock has rallied 27.3% compared with the industry's 6.6% growth and the S&P 500 composite's 11.7% rise. The renowned provider of diagnostic information services has a market capitalization of $20.05 billion. Quest Diagnostics has an earnings yield of 5.4% compared with the industry's yield of 4.3%. The company's earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 2%. Strong Potential of Advanced Diagnostics: In Advanced Diagnostics, DGX is focused on five major clinical areas — advanced cardiometabolic, autoimmune, brain health, oncology, and women's and reproductive health — to enable growth across its customer channels. In the first quarter of 2025, each of these areas delivered solid double-digit growth, significantly contributing to the total revenues. Brain Health gained from robust demand for AD-detect blood tests for assessing Alzheimer's disease risk, with plans underway to expand the portfolio with new biomarkers for Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research In women's and reproductive health, Quest Diagnostics introduced a new self-collection option for a specimen for HPV cervical cancer screening at a doctor's office. The company also started receiving commercial orders for the Haystack MRD test for assessing the early risk of cancer recurrence. It anticipates generating revenues from the test this year. Progress With Acquisition Strategy: Quest Diagnostics puts a high emphasis on accretive outreach purchases, as well as other independent labs, to support its growth objectives. In 2024, the company completed eight acquisitions, all of which align with its criteria for growth, profitability and returns. The addition of LifeLabs strengthened its foothold in the Canadian market and created new growth opportunities. The company acquired Allina Health, a leading nonprofit health system serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin, and the laboratory business of three physician groups in New York. To increase the adoption of AI and digital pathology, Quest Diagnostics acquired PathAI Diagnostics. In addition, it completed the acquisition of lab assets from Ohio Health and University Hospitals, two leading nonprofit health systems in Ohio. For 2025, Quest Diagnostics plans to slow its acquisition pace and prioritize maximizing productivity from last year's completed deals. Strategic Imperative to Drive Operational Excellence: The company continues to target 3% annual cost savings and productivity improvements through its Invigorate cost-savings program, which includes structured plans to drive savings and improve productivity across the value chain. Quest Diagnostics is also automating several areas of its laboratories, from tuberculosis testing to cervical cancer screening. The company also recently announced Project Nova, a new IT initiative to modernize its systems architecture, reduce IT costs over the long term and support its ability to optimize data insights and GenAI. In March 2025, DGX announced a collaboration with Google Cloud to streamline data management and employ GenAI to personalize customer and employee experiences. Escalating Debt Level: As of the end of the first quarter of 2025, the long-term debt totaled $5.86 billion, while cash and cash equivalents were just $188 million. The current portion of the debt was $1 million. Moreover, a higher debt level induces higher interest payments, which come along with the risk of failure to pay the same. The times interest ratio, which indicates the company's capacity to pay interest, slipped 0.6% sequentially to 6.3%. Unstable Macroeconomic Backdrop: Government payers, such as Medicare and Medicaid, have taken steps to reduce the utilization and reimbursement of healthcare services, including clinical testing services. Further, the industry-wide trend of consolidation has led to larger insurance plans with significant bargaining power, making it difficult for Quest Diagnostics to negotiate fee arrangements and possibly limiting access to its newer innovative solutions. Also, with the new U.S. administration in place, any regulatory changes could have a material adverse effect on the company's business. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Quest Diagnostics' 2025 earnings per share (EPS) has increased 1 cent to $9.70 in the past 30 days. The consensus estimate for the company's 2025 revenues is pegged at $10.78 billion. This suggests 9.2% growth from the year-ago reported number. Some other top-ranked stocks in the broader medical space are Phibro Animal Health PAHC, Cardinal Health CAH and Cencora COR. Phibro Animal Health has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 26% compared with the industry's 15.7%. Its earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 30.6%. Its shares have rallied 49.8% compared with the industry's 14.3% growth in the past year. PAHC sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Cardinal Health, currently carrying a Zacks Rank #2, has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 10.9% compared with the industry's 9.9% growth. Shares of the company have surged 74.1% compared with the industry's modest 0.9% gain. CAH's earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 10.3%. Cencora, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present, has an earnings yield of 5.3% compared with the industry's 3.7%. Shares of the company have rallied 34.1% against the industry's 14.5% decline. COR's earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 6%. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (DGX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) : Free Stock Analysis Report Cencora, Inc. (COR) : Free Stock Analysis Report Phibro Animal Health Corporation (PAHC) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
19 hours ago
- Associated Press
Texas' McKinney Independent School District Selects Adaptive and Engaging Edtech Solution To Support Math Instruction in Grades K-5
CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 2, 2025 /3BL/ - Texas' McKinney Independent School District (MISD) today announced that it has selected DreamBox Math by Discovery Education, an adaptive and engaging edtech solution, to support math instruction in grades K-5. An innovative online math program that supports core instruction in the classroom or at home, DreamBox Math is independently proven by several third-party research organizations to increase math achievement. Discovery Education is the creator of essential PreK-12 learning solutions used in classrooms around the world. MISD is located in Collin County, Texas, and primarily serves students in the city of McKinney and in parts of New Hope, Allen, Fairview, Princeton, and Lowry Crossing. MISD currently enrolls more than 24,500 students in 20 elementary schools, five middle schools, three high schools, two alternative campuses, and one early childhood education center. MISD has a long-standing reputation for educational excellence, and the district is continually recognized at both the state and national levels. To continue MISD's tradition of academic excellence and to meet the goal of ensuring all students' access to a curriculum that addresses the needs of all learners and promotes student achievement and growth, district leaders sought an interactive, adaptive math resource. Following a careful review of potential solutions, MISD selected DreamBox Math by Discovery Education. Updated earlier this year with a host of improvements that empower teachers to create even more personalized learning experiences, DreamBox Math by Discovery Education adapts dynamically to the learner, providing tailored instruction within a highly engaging, gamified learning environment. DreamBox Math lessons are available in both English and Spanish and align to math standards in Texas. Along with actionable reporting and tools that empower differentiation for all learners, DreamBox Math offers teachers content-specific professional learning and provides administrators critical insights into student progress. With DreamBox Math, every student is empowered to independently engage in interactive problem solving so they can develop conceptual understanding, apply a variety of strategies, and gain competence and confidence in mathematical reasoning and skills. 'At MISD, we believe in the need for meaningful mathematical literacy. Math literacy empowers students to use math reasoning skills and habits of mind they develop to help support them in all areas of life,' said Sharon Sovereign, Elementary Math Coordinator. 'This literacy is based on two areas: procedural, or the mathematical procedures which promote efficiency and accuracy; and conceptual, which is a students' understanding of the ideas of how and why math works. DreamBox Math supports student understanding of both areas, and we are excited to see it integrated into classroom instruction.' DreamBox Math will be used alongside Discovery Education's Social Studies Techbook, and Experience solutions that are already integrated into instruction in MISD classrooms. MISD educators using DreamBox Math will receive dedicated professional development from Discovery Education's team of professional learning experts. These learning opportunities for teachers help schools recognize the full return on their edtech investment. Through Discovery Education's interactive professional development sessions, participants will learn best practices for integrating their new digital resources into instruction. Effective professional learning increases student engagement and supports the continued academic development of all students. In addition, all educators using Discovery Education's digital resources have access to the Discovery Educator Network. A global community of education professionals, the Discovery Educator Network connects members across school systems and around the world through social media, virtual conferences, and in-person events, fostering valuable idea sharing and inspiration. 'Discovery Education is proud to deepen its long-term relationship with McKinney ISD,' said Jamie Long, Discovery Education's Educational Partnerships Manager. 'McKinney ISD has long been at the forefront of efforts to enhance teaching and learning through the thoughtful application of innovative technologies, and Discovery Education is excited to be continue to support their efforts.' For more information about Discovery Education's award-winning digital resources and professional learning solutions, visit and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. ### About Discovery Education Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art, PreK-12, digital solutions support learning wherever it takes place. Through award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, innovative classroom tools, and strategic alliances, Discovery Education helps educators deliver powerful learning experiences that engage all students and support higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Through partnerships with districts, states, and trusted organizations, Discovery Education empowers teachers with essential edtech solutions that inspire curiosity, build confidence, and accelerate learning. Explore the future of education at ContactStephen WakefieldDiscovery EducationPhone: 202-316-6615 Email: [email protected] Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from Discovery Education
