15 Year Old Boy Discovers Lost Mayan City Using Google Maps

It’s not every day that a high school student makes an archaeological discovery that captures the attention of scientists worldwide. Yet, that’s exactly what 15-year-old William Gadoury from Quebec, Canada, did—using only his laptop and an unyielding curiosity. Fascinated by the mysteries of ancient civilizations, William stumbled upon an extraordinary theory that Mayan cities were aligned with the stars. But he didn’t stop there. Armed with Google Earth and a star chart, he traced the constellations onto the jungles of Mexico, uncovering what could be the ruins of a forgotten Mayan city.

What began as a teenage hobby transformed into a scientific breakthrough, igniting questions about how ancient civilizations used the night sky to guide their way. Could this remarkable find be a gateway to even more hidden knowledge about the Maya? And what does this say about the role of technology in rewriting history?

The Inspiration Behind the Theory

William Gadoury’s fascination with the Maya civilization began at a young age, sparked by books his grandparents brought him from Mexico. This interest deepened in 2012 when the Mayan calendar’s “doomsday” prophecy captured global attention. Intrigued by the Maya’s advanced knowledge of astronomy, William pondered the seemingly illogical locations of their cities—often situated far from rivers and fertile lands. He theorized that the Maya might have aligned their cities with the stars they revered. As he explained to CBC News, “The Mayans were extremely good builders, but they often built in places that made little practical sense—far from rivers, far from fertile areas.”

To explore this hypothesis, William meticulously studied 22 Mayan constellations and overlaid them onto maps of known Mayan city locations. He discovered that 117 cities corresponded with the stars in these constellations, with the brightest stars aligning with the most prominent cities. This pattern suggested a deliberate celestial alignment in Mayan urban planning. However, when examining a 23rd constellation comprising three stars, he found only two corresponding cities on the map, leading him to believe a third city remained undiscovered.

Connecting Stars to City Locations

William Gadoury’s innovative approach involved overlaying ancient Mayan constellations onto modern maps to identify potential city locations. By analyzing 22 Mayan star maps from the Madrid Codex, he discovered that 117 known Mayan cities corresponded with the positions of stars in these constellations. Notably, the brightest stars aligned with the most prominent cities, suggesting a deliberate celestial pattern in Mayan urban planning.

This method led William to a compelling observation: in the 23rd constellation, which comprised three stars, only two corresponding cities were known. This discrepancy indicated the potential existence of a third, yet undiscovered, city. Focusing on the Yucatán Peninsula, he pinpointed a specific location where this missing city might be situated.

To validate his hypothesis, William utilized Google Earth and satellite imagery provided by the Canadian Space Agency. These tools revealed linear features beneath the dense jungle canopy, consistent with man-made structures. Dr. Armand La Rocque, a remote sensing expert, noted that one image showed a street network and a large square, which could possibly be a pyramid. He stated, “A square is not natural; it is mostly artificial and can hardly be attributed to natural phenomena.”

Using Google Earth and Satellite Imagery

To validate his hypothesis about the alignment of Mayan cities with constellations, William Gadoury turned to modern technology. He meticulously analyzed satellite images from Google Earth, focusing on the dense jungles of the Yucatán Peninsula. His goal was to identify anomalies in the vegetation that might indicate hidden man-made structures.

Recognizing the limitations of publicly available images, William sought assistance from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). Impressed by his research, the CSA provided him with high-resolution satellite images from their RADARSAT-2 satellite. These images offered detailed views of the terrain, penetrating the thick jungle canopy.

Upon examining these images, William identified linear features and geometric shapes that stood out from the natural landscape. Dr. Armand La Rocque, a remote sensing expert at the University of New Brunswick, noted, “A square is not natural; it is mostly artificial and can hardly be attributed to natural phenomena.” He added that the images revealed a street network and a large square, which could possibly be a pyramid.

These findings suggested the presence of a previously undiscovered Mayan city, which William named K’àak’ Chi’, meaning “Mouth of Fire.” The use of satellite imagery not only supported his theory but also highlighted the potential of modern technology in uncovering ancient civilizations. This approach has since inspired further studies, demonstrating how remote sensing can revolutionize archaeological research.

The Discovery: K’aak Chi (Mouth of Fire)

William Gadoury’s innovative approach led to the identification of a potential ancient Mayan city, which he named K’aak Chi, meaning “Mouth of Fire.” By overlaying Mayan constellations onto maps of the Yucatán Peninsula, he pinpointed a location where a city should exist according to the stars. Satellite imagery from the Canadian Space Agency revealed linear features beneath the dense jungle canopy, suggesting man-made structures. Dr. Armand La Rocque, a remote sensing expert, noted that one image showed a street network and a large square, which could possibly be a pyramid.

However, subsequent field investigations cast doubt on the existence of K’aak Chi. In the summer of 2021, archaeologist Jerald Ek conducted a reconnaissance trip into the Calakmul Biosphere and verified that there are no significant archaeological sites in the proposed location of K’aak Chi east of the Laguna La Amapola, including the location of the rectilinear feature identified in satellite imagery and adjacent topographic features.

Scientific Validation and Expert Support

William Gadoury’s hypothesis—that the Maya civilization strategically aligned their cities with star constellations—garnered significant attention from the scientific community. His innovative approach combined historical astronomy with modern technology, leading to the identification of a potential ancient city, K’àak’ Chi’.

Dr. Armand LaRocque, a remote sensing specialist at the University of New Brunswick, analyzed satellite images of the proposed site. He observed geometric shapes beneath the dense jungle canopy, stating, “A square is not natural; it is mostly artificial and can hardly be attributed to natural phenomena.” This suggested the presence of man-made structures, potentially validating William’s theory.

However, some experts expressed skepticism. Dr. David Stuart, a renowned Mayanist from the University of Texas at Austin, referred to the discovery as “junk science,” arguing that the alignment of cities with stars could be coincidental. He emphasized the need for on-site archaeological verification to confirm such findings.

In response to the mixed reactions, William remained optimistic. He acknowledged the critiques but viewed them as opportunities to advance his research. He stated, “I think scientists are jealous. Sometimes they are scared of new ideas.”

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) recognized William’s work, providing him with high-resolution satellite images to aid his research. Daniel De Lisle from the CSA noted, “There are linear features that would suggest there is something underneath that big canopy.” This support from a reputable institution lent credibility to William’s findings.

Impact and Future Implications

William Gadoury’s innovative approach to uncovering ancient Mayan cities has had a profound impact on both the archaeological community and the integration of technology in historical research. His method of aligning Mayan constellations with city locations has sparked discussions about the Maya’s urban planning and their relationship with astronomy.

While some experts have expressed skepticism regarding the direct correlation between star maps and city placements, Gadoury’s work has undeniably opened new avenues for exploration. His use of satellite imagery and remote sensing technologies has highlighted the potential of these tools in identifying hidden archaeological sites. As Dr. Armand La Rocque noted, “A square is not natural; it is mostly artificial and can hardly be attributed to natural phenomena.”

This case underscores the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in archaeology, combining traditional methods with modern technology to gain deeper insights into ancient civilizations. Gadoury’s findings have inspired further research into the Maya’s architectural practices and their possible connections to celestial patterns.

Moreover, Gadoury’s journey serves as a testament to the power of curiosity and innovation. His story encourages young researchers to pursue unconventional ideas and utilize available resources creatively. As he stated, “I think scientists are jealous. Sometimes they are scared of new ideas.”

A New Lens on Ancient Mysteries

William Gadoury’s journey from a curious teenager to a groundbreaking researcher exemplifies the impact of innovative thinking and technological tools in uncovering humanity’s ancient mysteries. His bold hypothesis, connecting Mayan city placements with constellations, challenged traditional archaeological methods and invited a fresh perspective on how civilizations might have oriented their cities according to celestial patterns. “The Mayans were extremely good builders, but they often built in places that made little practical sense,”he noted, inspiring further inquiry into the relationship between the Maya and the stars.

Through satellite imagery and the support of experts, Gadoury’s discovery has ignited debates within the scientific community and underscored the importance of both field verification and interdisciplinary approaches in validating new theories. His story is a testament to the transformative power of curiosity, showing how unconventional ideas can lead to extraordinary findings.

While questions around K’aak Chi remain, Gadoury’s work paves the way for future discoveries and highlights the potential of integrating ancient knowledge with modern tools. His journey invites budding researchers and seasoned scientists alike to embrace the unknown and approach history with an open mind, reminding us that even the vast jungles of the Yucatán may still hold secrets, waiting for the right eyes to see them.