Mayans in Georgia?

Mayans in Georgia?

The mystery of the Mayan migration has had archaeologists searching decades for answers.  Rapid depopulation of what were once massive cities in Central America left no evidence as to what had happened to the people that once lived there.  Theories abounded, but none were ever confirmed with any degree of accuracy – not until a few weeks ago.

Ruins known as the Kenimer Mound, in Georgia, USA, were recently excavated, revealing some interesting facts regarding the people who once occupied them.  These ruins were widely assumed by the locals and scientists alike to be Cherokee in origin, despite denials of these connections by modern Cherokee.  Now, after an excavation, artifacts and other evidence have been recovered that suggests the people who built the city in the Georgia Mountains were originally Mayan.

Carbon dating evidence puts occupation at the same period as the Mayan depopulation.  Images on artifacts show remarkable similarities to those found in Central American sites.  Some scientists are still disputing the reliability of currently collected evidence, but the excavation of the Kenimer Mound is still in the early stages and promises to provide a great deal more information over the next few years.

If the theories about Mayan occupation of Kenimer Mound are proven correct, it would be one of the biggest discoveries of the century, answering the much-asked question of where so many millions of people could have gone to.  It would also most likely prompt even further excavations which could lead to potentially hundreds of new sites in both Georgia and the surrounding areas.