Balancan (Mexico): Archaeologists have discovered an ancient Maya river port dating back to 600 BC in southeast Mexico.
The 23 archaeological pieces that were retrieved in the Mexican state of Tabasco has established the existence of the port there, experts said.
The excavation work at the site began three months ago. The site covers an area of 87 hectares and is located adjacent to a ranching community in Reforma, officials said.
Benito Lopez, one of the two experts heading the excavation, said the port was used by the Mayan cities that were once located in the present-day Mexican states of Campeche and Chiapas, and in the neighboring Guatemala.
The archaeologists studying a pyramid at the site said the structure resembled the ruins of Calakmul in Campeche state which is proof of the spread of the Mayan civilisation in the country.
"The hypothesis tells us that this zone could have been a route for those who were ... seeking to trade," said Lopez.
Masks, small sculptures, stones, and spear points, are among the 23 pieces, unearthed near the pyramid.
The Maya civilisation, between 250 BC and 1,000 AD, extended from the present-day Mexican states of Tabasco, Chiapas, Campeche, Yucatan and Quintana Roo, to the Central American countries of Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras.
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