Scientists from the State University of Pocatello using aerial surveys were able to discover in Guatemala previously unknown locations of the Maya of the preclassic period. They managed to find cities, small settlements, pyramids and sports grounds, according to Heritage Daily..

A total of 700 archaeological sites were found. Among them, in particular, 177 kilometers of overpasses that towered above the ground.

Most locations date from 1000 BC to 150 AD.. This disproves the assumption that the region was sparsely populated at the time..

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Scientists note that the connection between the discovered locations, as well as the workforce that is needed to build them, indicate that this region was home to a wealthy, unified community with a developed political system and an early centralized administrative structure..

According to the researchers, the resource that was needed to build the pyramids and the network of dams could only be accumulated by a centralized administration.. They believe this indicates the existence of an ancient political and economic structure of the kingdom-state..

Earlier, an international team of scientists concluded that Mayapan, the cultural and political capital of the Mayan civilization, collapsed due to a prolonged drought.. It led to civil conflict, which in turn caused political collapse..