Using his deep knowledge of astronomy, 15-year-old William Gadoury recently startled archeologists by discovering a hidden Mayan city located near the coast in Belize, in the southern Yucatán Peninsula. By analyzing Mayan astronomical records, Gadoury realized that the Mayan system of constellations precisely matched the location of 117 different Mayan cities. Using this information, Gadoury was able to predict that a 118th city must exist. After plotting potential locations, Gadoury scoured through satellite photographs to discover K’aak Chi, where researchers discovered a pyramid and more than two dozen buildings lost within the deep jungle.
Archeologists have yet to visit the area of K’aak Chi to confirm the satellite imagery. Gadoury has expressed an interest in visiting the site but will have to wait until funding becomes available to reach the remote site. “To see K’aak Chi with my own eyes would be the dream of my life after spending three years calculating its location,” said Gadoury.
The city was named by Gadoury from a Mayan term meaning “fire mouth”. After a large forest fire in 2005 thinned the jungle cover, satellite photos were able to make out more details of this once-lost city. Mayan experts were startled when they realized that, based on their calculations from satellite images, K’aak Chi is one of the five largest Mayan cities ever discovered.
Modern-day Belize was once the heartland of the Mayan Empire and has the highest concentration of Mayan sites in the region. Top draws for visitors in Belize include the Mayan ruins of Altun Ha, Cahal Pech, Caracol, Lamani and Lubantuum.
The award-winning resort of Chabil Mar on the Placencia Peninsula in southeastern Belize is a great place to begin an adventure. With luxury beach front villas, the resort offers Belize jungle and sea packages that include tours to all of the top Maya ruins, perhaps you too can discover a lost city on your vacation in Belize.
Chabil Mar also offers a special Belize and Guatemala combo packages that includes a tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tikal, once a leading Maya city-state and home to dozens of soaring palaces, temples and buildings.
For more information about Belize or to find out more about Chabil Mar accommodations, Belize vacation packages, rates and amenities, please don’t hesitate to send us an email, or call US/CAN Toll Free: 1-866-417-2377, Local: (011-501) 523-3606.
