New research has revealed the ancient Mayans to be even more advanced than originally thought. Studies at Palenque in Chiapas, Mexico reveal this one-time city of 1,500 structures and 6,000 people not only had an intricate water management system but may have had toilets.

“This finding is yet another technological achievement made by the Maya independently of the Old World,” French said. “The Maya of Palenque had water pressure technology by 750 AD at the very latest and most likely much earlier.”

French noted it has been speculated for decades that the palace in Palenque had running water for toilets. “Getting running water to the palace was impossible without water pressure,” he said. Because of this new find, “the toilet theory isn’t so far-fetched.”

Running water would have been a luxury, not a necessity.

“I actually think that the creation of water pressure at Palenque was a sign of wealth,” French said. “It was definitely not necessary. They had water everywhere. The Maya of Palenque were never more than 150 meters (492 feet) from a source of water. Water pressure technology would have been useful through the display of power and knowledge, similar to how priests and shamans used astronomical events.”

There may be other examples of Precolumbian water pressure throughout the Americas that have been unseen or misidentified, French said. For instance, ceramic tubes have been found at several sites throughout central Mexico.

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