Mexican archaeologists have discovered the ruins of what they believe was an ancient Mayan city in an industrial complex in the outskirts of the city of Merida.
The site has been named Xiol and is comprised of five palaces, several pyramidal structures, plazas and the remains of simpler houses.
"There were priests and scribes who lived in the big palaces.
"Common people lived in smaller buildings made from perishable masonry materials," Carlos Peraza Lope, coordinator of the Xiol archaeological rescue said.
"We believe that possibly more than 4,000 people lived here."
According to the National History and Anthropology Institute Xiol was active between the years 600 and 900.
Objects such as arrowheads, clay pots and vases, seashells and even masonry tools were also found at the site.
