Sitio Arqueológico La Blanca, Peten

La Blanca is a Maya pre-Columbian Mesoamerican archaeological site in the municipality of Melchor de Mencos in the northern Petén Department of Guatemala [1]. The site is located in the lower reaches of the Mopan River valley and features a large acropolis complex [1]. La Blanca occupied a frontier zone between the northeastern and southeastern Petén regions and the site is dominated by the acropolis [1]. The end of formal occupation of the city in the Terminal Classic appears to have been violent, with evidence of a battle recovered during excavations of the acropolis [1]. Refugees appear to have occupied the city centre immediately after the collapse of formal settlement at La Blanca, but they abandoned the city for good in the 11th century, after which it was never reoccupied [1]. The site covers an area of about 26 hectares and a great many structures have been identified by archaeologists [1]. The acropolis is also distinguished by a great quantity of graffiti inscribed onto the stucco interior walls of its rooms, some of which display a considerable level of artistic skill [1].