A multinational team of explorers has unearthed a Mayan city that remained untouched for more than a millennium in the dense jungles of Mexico's Calakmul Nature Reserve. The discovery, announced on June 25, 2026, was led by archaeologist Ivan Sprajc of the Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Arts and Sciences, alongside Slovenian and Mexican colleagues.
City Named Minanbe After Pathless Discovery
The city, now named Minanbe—derived from Yucatec Maya words meaning 'there is no path'—spans 13 hectares and features a pyramid in the Rio Bec style standing 13 metres tall, as well as a relief depicting water scenes and a beheading. The site was identified using LiDAR imagery analysed by archaeologists Atasta Flores Esquivel, Vitan Vujanović, Israel Chato López, and Quintín Hernández Gómez, which revealed structures beneath the thick canopy.
According to Mr. Vujanović, this marks "the first time I have recorded a more or less well-preserved temple, and a stele that still bears glyphs." The city is believed to have been constructed between 600 and 900 AD.
Challenging Expedition in Remote Jungle
The expedition, endorsed by the Archaeology Council of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), involved extensive use of machetes and quadbikes to navigate treacherous terrain. Mr. Sprajc noted, "Compared to other places where we carried out surface surveys, access here proved much more difficult. However, in the last three years, this is the first site we’ve found that’s intact; there are no signs of looting. It was a real discovery, a huge surprise for us."
The team explored the northern part of the reserve as part of a surface survey west of Chactun, focusing on the Central Maya Lowlands. The lack of clear paths confirmed they were on the right track.
Insights into Agricultural Power and External Influences
Mr. Sprajc concluded that Minanbe aligns with other regional finds, adapted to an agriculturally driven power structure. However, questions remain about possible incursions from other groups that may have altered the city's dynamics. The project represents the culmination of years of dedicated exploration in the region.
