The sensational claim that a thousand-year-old plane has been found near a Mayan pyramid is a complete fabrication and a popular internet hoax. This story has no basis in archaeological fact, historical record, or scientific possibility. It is an example of a modern myth that sensationalizes history and is easily disproven.

The idea of a thousand-year-old plane is historically impossible. The first successful airplane flight in human history, conducted by the Wright brothers, took place in 1903, which is just over a century ago. The development of aviation technology is a well-documented process that occurred in the 20th century. Ancient civilizations, including the Maya, were masters of astronomy, mathematics, and architecture, but their technological advancements did not include powered flight.

However, the Maya civilization did create artifacts that have sometimes been misinterpreted as advanced technology. For instance, small, winged gold figurines from a different ancient culture in South America are sometimes speculatively called “ancient airplanes” by fringe theorists, but mainstream archaeology identifies them as stylized animals, such as insects or birds. The true wonders of the Maya are found in their intricate calendars, their impressive astronomical observatories, and their magnificent pyramids and cities—real feats of engineering and intellect that are far more astounding than any fictional tale of an ancient plane.