Archaeologists have uncovered a significant ancient altar in Tikal National Park, Guatemala, believed to have been used for human sacrifices, particularly of children, during the late 4th century CE.

This altar, attributed to the Teotihuacan culture from central Mexico, was found within a residential complex in the heart of the ancient Mayan city of Tikal, a major center of Mayan civilization.

It took experts a year and a half to uncover and analyse the altar before making the announcement, with the site being described as part of an abandoned “city of the gods”.

Archaeologist Lorena Paiz, who led the discovery, said the altar was believed to have been used for sacrifices, “especially of children”...