Nakbe , an archaeological site in the dense tropical forest in the north Guatemala , is considered one of the earliest ceremonial centers of Maya Culture .
Nakbe was first identified from aerial photographs taken in 1930 and examined (and named) by archaeologist Ian Graham in 1962. Systematic research in the 1980s and 1990s revealed information that could lead to a significant revision of theories about the development of Maya culture. Thought to be typical of the architecture of the period known as Late or Late Preclassic (300 v . Ch. - 100 n . Ch. ) The huge cairns, temples and other relatively tall buildings characteristic of construction at Nakbe were dated to 600–400 v . Ch. Radiocarbon dated (corresponding to middle formative) ), a period previously thought to be characterized by simple villages with dwellings on low stone platforms. Although remains have been discovered at Nakbe in almost all eras of Maya culture, it was never an important center after the beginning of the Late Formation period.