Archaeologists have potentially identified Sak-Bahlán, the legendary “land of the white jaguar” and the last stronghold of the rebellious Lacandon-Ch’olti’ Maya, after three centuries hidden beneath the dense Lacandon jungle in Mexico. This significant discovery marks a milestone in the long-standing quest to find this elusive city, which had resisted Spanish conquest for over a century. Advanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology played a crucial role in locating the site, allowing researchers to pinpoint where the last Maya rebels held their ground against colonial forces. The site is now officially registered in Mexico’s Public Registry of Archaeological and Historic Monuments.

Sak-Bahlán, once a refuge after Spanish forces captured the original capital Lacam-Tún in 1586, exemplified indigenous resistance, maintaining independence for 110 years in what is now the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve. Initially documented in 1695 by Spanish missionaries, the settlement was strategically situated on a plain near the Lacantún River, making it difficult for Spanish troops to attack. Despite eventually being conquered and renamed Nuestra Señora de los Dolores, the settlement was abandoned by 1721, significantly impacted by colonial pressures and disease. The project that led to this discovery, co-directed by experts from Winthrop University and Rissho University, utilized innovative archaeological methods combining historical accounts with modern technology to identify the possible location of Sak-Bahlán.

An analysis of 17th-century chronicles, particularly by Friar Diego de Rivas, was instrumental in creating predictive models that matched the site’s coordinates with prior geographical and documentary data. Understanding Sak-Bahlán enriches the narrative of Maya civilization and sheds light on indigenous survival strategies in the face of colonial threats. This discovery also underscores the contemporary issues faced by modern Maya descendants in the region. The archaeological findings will feature in an upcoming Discovery Channel documentary, highlighting the blend of technology and history in revealing lost cities of the Maya.