Researchers have confirmed the existence of a submerged Maya settlement beneath Lake Atitlán in Guatemala’s highlands, an area now dubbed the “Maya Atlantis.” This discovery was made possible through extensive studies published in the Journal of Maritime Archaeology.
Significance of the Discovery
The sunken site represents an ancient settlement that was submerged due to natural shifts in water levels, rather than intentional human actions. This distinction is crucial as it highlights the settlement’s status as a submerged cultural landscape.
Dating the Settlement
This ancient community dates back to the Late Preclassic period, approximately between 350 BC and AD 250. Significant contributions to the research came from the Tz’utujil Maya community, whose ancestors originally inhabited the area.
Community Involvement
What distinguishes this project is the collaboration between the Tz’utujil community and an international team of experts. Community members established a commission to oversee and participate in the research process. They also trained a local diver to assist in underwater explorations, ensuring findings were accessible to the community through inclusive formats, including 3D models.
Technical Collaboration
Helena Barba-Meinecke, a Mexican archaeologist, led the technical team, which included specialists from Belgium, Spain, Argentina, and Guatemala. All involved parties agreed on the research design before any diving operations commenced.
Locating the Maya Atlantis
The search for this submerged city was challenging. Initial records indicated a vast area of nearly six square kilometers (2.3 square miles), quite challenging to cover. In 2022, the research team deployed sonar technology, successfully mapping about four square kilometers (1.5 square miles) of lakebed.
Diving Operations
Upon narrowing down the search area, a diving phase was executed over four days, with eight divers collectively spending about 2,400 minutes underwater. This led to the discovery of five architectural complexes, including:
- Residential buildings
- Stone platforms
- Carved monuments
During test excavations, ceramic fragments and an obsidian flake were recovered, which were later returned to the site as per an agreement with the Tz’utujil community.
Preservation and Future Plans
Interestingly, flooding has helped preserve the structures, potentially keeping organic materials intact beneath the sediment layers. Researchers suspect that volcanic activity, seismic events, or heavy rainfall may have caused rapid flooding that led to the submersion of the settlement.
Community Names and Cultural Significance
The Tz’utujil community is proposing new names for the site in their native language, reflecting its ongoing cultural and ancestral significance. Moving forward, the research team plans to conduct further surveys, excavations, and implement protective measures for the site.
The Genesis of the Maya Atlantis Discovery
The initial discovery can be traced back to the 1990s, when scuba diver Roberto Samayoa stumbled upon Maya artifacts during his explorations of Lake Atitlán. His findings revealed substantial ruins, prompting systematic archaeological inquiries into the settlement’s history. In recognition of his efforts, the site was named Samabaj, combining his surname with “abaj,” meaning “stone” in the Quiché language.
