Honduras' Two Lost Cities May Be Distinct From the Mayans

Archaeologists have found not one, but two lost Honduras cities in the deep jungles of the country's Las Mosquitia's valley where humans may not have ventured for 600 years. Artifacts suggest the uncovered civilization may be distinct from the ancient Mayans.

The first city discovered that surfaced in the news last week is believed to be rumored "White City," which is also called "City of the Monkey God," according to National Geographic.

The expedition, organized by filmmakers Bill Beneson and Steve Elkins, found the remote location of the cities that archaeologists believe date back from 1000 to 1400AD, according to The Guardian.

"Even the animals acted as if they've never seen people," Chris Fisher, the head U.S. archaeologist on the team, told The Guardian. "Spider monkeys (were) all over place, and they'd follow us around and throw food at us and hoot and holler and do their thing. To be treated not as a predator but as another primate in their space was for me the most amazing thing about this whole trip."

While archaeologists said there were similarities between this civilization and the Mayans, the expedition documented 52 artifacts that Virgilio Paredes, head of Honduras's national anthropology and history institute, said were distinct from the Mayans.

A bowl with an intricate carvings and semi-buried stone sculptures that included several merged human and animal characteristics were among the artifacts found.

"This is clearly the most undisturbed rain forest in Central America," Mark Plotkin, the expedition’s ethnobotanist, told National Geographic. "The importance of this place can’t be overestimated."

Deforestation from ranching is starting to threaten the region, according to National Geographic. Archaeologists told the magazine that locals are cutting swaths of rain forest to make way for cattle.

"If we don't do something right away, most of this forest and valley will be gone in eight years," Paredes told National Geographic. "The Honduran government is committed to protecting this area, but doesn’t have the money. We urgently need international support."

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