Recent excavations conducted at the Atalaya complex located in East Witzna revealed the early construction of a watchtower in the Holmul region during the Late Preclassic period. This discovery indicates the presence of early warfare in the region that continued into the Late Classic period. The Atalaya was utilized through multiple waves of warfare and its occupation ultimately ended after an act of warfare that burnt most of the architecture and floors. This recent find adds to a growing number of publications that explore the use of defensive hilltop locations and watchtowers by the ancient Maya throughout the Preclassic and Classic periods. This presentation also provides an overview of defensive hilltop structures among the ancient Maya with the goal of contextualizing the new findings associated with the Atalaya.