Smithsonian: UC researchers uncover ancient Maya water filtration
UC archaeologists discover sophisticated filtration system at Tikal
Smithsonian Magazine highlighted the discovery by University of Cincinnati archaeologists of an advanced filtration system in the ancient Maya city of Tikal.
UC anthropology professor Kenneth Barnett Tankersley led a multidisciplinary archaeology team that included biologists and geographers in what is now northern Guatemala.
Kenneth Tankersley. Photo/Provided
They found that the ancient Maya imported natural minerals, including quartz and zeolite, for a water filtration system in the Corriental reservoir, believed to be an important source of drinking water for residents of the prehistoric city.
UC’s discovery was published in the journal Scientific Reports.
“What’s interesting is this system would still be effective today and the Maya discovered it more than 2,000 years ago," Tankersley said.
Science Magazine also joined the international media that took interest in UC's findings.
Tikal was a bustling city for about 1,000 years, reaching its peak of population density around the seventh century, according to Science.
“It was one of the preeminent Maya cities,” UC geography professor Nicholas Dunning told Science.
Featured image at top: The ancient Maya city of Tikal in Guatemala. Photo/Jimmy Baum/Wikimedia Commons
UC's ancient Maya insights in the news
A temple rises above the rainforest in the ancient Maya city of Tikal. Photo/David Lentz
Yahoo! News: Ancient Maya built sophisticated water filters that 'would still work today'
Daily Mail: Ancient Maya water purification system 'would still work today,' study shows
Science Daily: Ancient Maya built sophisticated water filters
The Independent: Ancient Mayan societies built sophisticated water filters using materials used in modern purification systems
Daily Express: Archaeology news: Maya built water filtration systems that would be effective today
Sci-News: Ancient Maya used zeolite and quartz to filter drinking water
The Science Times: New archaeological dig finds advanced water filters from Maya civilization
Related Stories
Women consistently experience more pain than men across 11 body parts
October 12, 2026
A large global study spanning 118 countries, published in Nature Medicine, has found that women consistently report more pain than men across 11 bodily sites, including the back, head, face, knees, chest, abdomen and hips. The study also found that, across sexes, the sharpest increases in self-reported pain tend to occur before age 55. These findings may inform a new approach to chronic pain prevention and management throughout the lifespan. Shuchita Garg, MD, an associate professor of clinical medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Division of Chronic Pain, within the Department of Anesthesia, and the medical director of the UC Medical Center Pain Clinic, who was not involved in this study, commented on the findings for Medical News Today (MNT).
Some physicists question existence of dark energy
October 12, 2026
The BBC examines how physicists are at odds over the prevailing theory about dark energy in the universe.
From hobbyist photographer to professional educator
October 9, 2026
DAAP alum and photographer HATSUE studied communication design after a pivot in high school from a track toward veterinary school. Today, they teach photography at 1001 Colors white working as an artist and curator in Cincinnati.