GUATEMALAN TREASURES UNCOVERED

El Mirador, a 'jewel' of Mayan archaeological treasures has been uncovered in Guatemala. The discovery, considered the oldest Mayan frescoes in Guatemala, was uncovered by a group of archaeologists, led by Richard Hansen. They announced the discovery of a frieze built about 300 years before Christ by emphasizing that the heyday of the ancient Maya is much older than what the experts previously believed.

France will host exhibition of Mirador in 2011 at the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris.

Major discoveries about the Maya at Mirador dating from 200 to 150 BC include the
famous La Danta pyramid, considered to be one of the largest structures of the
ancient world in terms of volume.

Vice-President Dr. Rafael Espada of Guatemala expressed his support for the project and the need to establish the legal framework to protect El Mirador.

"We have to protect this cultural heritage which preserves important elements of
Mayan culture. This jungle which has existed for thousands of years also needs our protection. The research and conservation program being conducted in the Mirador area is supported by the Global Heritage Fund of Palo Alto, Calif., and a group of the most prominent Guatemalan companies and industries in a foundation known as PACUNAM to support the investigation and conservation of the Mirador area.

The area of the proposed new conservation plan of Cuatro Balam is a major
new effort by the Guatemalan government to curb the rampant deforestation,
logging, narcotics trafficking, poaching, looting and seemingly endless poverty by
including the communities in a truly sustainable model based on conservation and tourism.