Maya Bridge at Yaxchilan

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Maya Bridge at Yaxchilan was the longest bridge in the ancient world dating from its construction in the late seventh century connecting the Mayan city of Yaxchilan to the northern shore.

The Maya Capital city of Yaxchilan, founded in the fourth century, became one of the most powerful Mayan kingdoms during theMaya Classic Period. During the height of it's power the kings of Yaxchilan built gleaming Temples, pyramids, and luxurious palaces clustered along the grand plaza extending along the shores of the broad and wild Usumacinta River. This broad river formed a large U-shaped bend or "Ox Bow" that encompassed the city of Yaxchilan. This natural barrier protected the city from invasion from outside forces. However, the river was in a high flood stage during the six month rainy season, during this time Yaxchilan became an island due to the swiftly flowing waters of the engorged river which encompassed the city. An all-weather passage across the treacherous river was a absolute necessity in order to gain access to the farmlands to the north of the City.

To survive and operate efficiently operate as the seat of power, Yaxchilan required a dependable passageway to provide an uninterrupted flow of traffic across the river on a year-round basis.

The Maya, Americas first Civil Engineers, solved this urban transportation problem by constructing a 100-meter long bridge across the Wild river. The bridge extended from a platform on the grand plaza of Yaxchilan crossing the river to the Northern shore. This three-span suspension bridge featured a 63 meter center span. This bridge was the longest in the ancient world dating from its construction in the late seventh century until a longer bridge was constructed by the Italians in 1377.

The existence of this unique feat of engineering was hidden in the rainforest of Mexico until the ruins of the structure were investigated and reconstructed using computer simulation, remote sensing, and archaeoengineering techniques by Engineer James A O'Kon PE. The discovery was announced to the archaeological and engineering world in the pages of National Geographic magazine in 1995.