La Blanca
Monumental buildings constructed with mathematical precision, sidewalks, ceremonial rooms, walls with glyphs and four tombs were found while excavating in the archeological site of "La Blanca" in Melchor de Mencos, Peten. During works realized between 2005 and 2006, archeologist got rid of earth and sand covering the walls and rooms of several buildings located in the south part of the city’s acropolis. When the walls of one of the buildings was cleaned, it was possible to establish the mathematical precision of its measurements. It is a building with a wall in a "U" shape wich measures 50 meters by 50 meters. This building was protecting another smaller building measuring 30 meters long.
Investigators discovered huge sidewalks around the palace and possible footprints of rituals in the rooms of the building. Also in the walls appear a great number of glyphs. In "La Blanca" there are no pyramidal buildings like in Tikal but there are several constructions that have a great volume. Archeologist analized more than 13,000 ceramic fragments and other materials like tips of arrows and obsidian knives. They also studied the materials used in the walls and the pictoric material applied to the palace. During excavations, four tombs were discovered containing the remains that could provide dating for when this building was inhabited. Even though there is a lot that remains to be investigated, it could be considered that "La Blanca" was a residential city with a lot of economic prosperity and also an important strategic location with regards to the commercial route of the Maya.
The investigation of this city will continue for three more years to determine exactly the chronology of this city, population density and the cause of its colapse. There are several projects to involve the nearby communities in the protection of the place. There is also plans to build a museum in the community and also plans to attract national and international turism to this Mayan city.
According to archeological studies, "La Blanca" was a very important city in the commercial route of the Maya. The site has an aproximate area of 7 blocks and there are more than 20 buildings discovered around of the palaces. It is considered that the palaces were constructed during the Late Classic Period.
