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Sensational new Mayan archaeological find at El Mirador in Guatemala

From: http://www.guatemala-times.com/

Mar 9, 2009

"This finding is impressive as finding the Mona Lisa. It is an impressive example of Mayan art", Hansen stated. The carving is in a structures that was used to store water and shows a Mayan mythological passage, where the twin heroes Ixbalanque and Hunacpú leave the underworld carrying the head of their father, Hun Hunapú.

The archaeological site "El Mirador" is being developed to be the crown jewel within the Park "Cuatro Balam". This is a development project which aims to create the largest archaeological park in the world, containing over four thousand Mayan pyramids. The project started under President Berger and is now being continued by President Alvaro Colom and a group of entrepreneurs.

As a fantastic and very impressive experience described Dr. Rafael Espada his visit to the Mirador, Petén, where he arrived accompanied by a working committee to assess options for protecting the natural and archaeological reserves in the country.

Vice-President Dr. Rafael Espada is the coordinator of the Socio- Environmental cabinet, as such he expressed his support for the project and the need to establish the legal framework to protect El Mirador.
"We have to protect this cultural heritage which preserves important elements of Mayan culture. This jungle which has existed for thousands of years also needs our protection. We need to take the necessary steps to provide legislation for the protection of the area and to respect this sacred land" said the Vice President Espada.

The project will benefit local communities, protect the tropical forests of the Basin "El Mirador", and will generate tourism and development for the department of Petén.