Albuquerque Homeowner Stumbles Upon Ancient Mayan Ruins in Backyard PoolAlbuquerque Homeowner Stumbles Upon Ancient Mayan Ruins in Backyard Pool Albuquerque, New Mexico – A routine pool cleaning turned into an extraordinary archaeological discovery when a homeowner in the city’s Northeast Heights neighborhood unearthed ancient Mayan ruins beneath her pool. Jessica Martinez had called a pool service to clean the liner of her backyard swimming pool when the technician noticed something unusual. Protruding from the bottom of the pool were what appeared to be carved stone blocks. “I thought it was some kind of joke at first,” said Martinez. “But then we started digging around, and we realized that there was actually something there.” Martinez called the University of New Mexico’s Department of Anthropology, and a team of archaeologists was dispatched to the site. Led by Dr. Emily Carter, the team spent the next several days excavating the ruins. What they found was astonishing: a complex network of interconnected tunnels, chambers, and stairways carved into the volcanic bedrock beneath the pool. The walls were adorned with intricate carvings depicting Mayan deities, hieroglyphics, and scenes from Mayan life. “It’s an incredible discovery,” said Carter. “We’ve uncovered a previously unknown Mayan settlement right in the heart of Albuquerque.” The ruins are believed to date back to the Late Classic period of Mayan civilization, around 700-900 AD. They may have been a ceremonial center or a residential complex for Mayan priests or nobles. The discovery has sent shockwaves through the archaeological community and has prompted a reassessment of the Mayan presence in the American Southwest. It is now believed that the Mayans had a much wider reach than previously thought, extending well beyond Mesoamerica. The ruins have been meticulously preserved and are now open to the public. Martinez has converted her backyard into a small museum, where visitors can explore the remnants of this ancient civilization in the heart of Albuquerque. “It’s an amazing thing to have this piece of history right in your own backyard,” said Martinez. “It’s a reminder that even in the most unexpected places, the past can be waiting to be discovered.”