Archaeologists Found a 1,600-Year-Old Maya Tomb That May Belong to a Legendary King
Researchers in Belize discovered what may be the tomb of Caracol's first dynastic leader, Te K'ab Chaak.
Previous excavations at Caracol revealed two more burial sites, both dating back to a similar timeframe as Te K'ab Chaak.
Some artifacts discovered in the tombs were more typical of Teotihuacan society, suggesting that the Maya were influenced by Mesomerica earlier than previously believed.
Maya civilization was one of the largest ancient societies in Mesoamerica, and our understanding of the culture is similar to our understanding of the ocean: growing every day. Lucky for us, another major discovery was just made—after four decades of research, a team of scientists have located what may be the tomb of a legendary ruler.
A team of archaeologists from the University of Houston (UH)—led by spouses Arlen and Diane Chase—made the discovery at Caracol in Belize. According to a press release, this burial site is the first identifiable ruler's tomb found at Caracol in more than 40 years. Researchers believe the tomb belongs to Te K'ab Chaak, the founder of the Maya dynasty and leader of Caracol, a city that played a major role in the civilization's political history. After his death, Te K'ab Chaak's dynasty continued in Caracol for more than 460 years.
Te K'ab Chaak was buried at the base of the royal family tomb. Researchers estimate he was approximately five foot seven inches, and had no teeth remaining when he died. Items found in his tomb included pottery, carved bone tubes, jadeite jewelry and masks, and oyster shells. Several pottery vessels at the site, according to the release, depict vivid scenes. One shows the ruler receiving offerings from the gods. Another shows the Maya god of traders, Ek Chuah, surrounded by ritual offerings. Four more vessels depict bound captives.
Te K'ab Chaak's burial site was one of three tombs, all dating back to around 350 A.D., that have been discovered in the area over the years. In 2010, researchers discovered a cremation containing the remains of three individuals, knives, atlatl (spear-thrower) spear points, and obsidian blades from Pachuca, Mexico. According to researchers, these burial practices were typical of high-status nobles in Teotihuacán—a prominent pre-Aztec city in Mexico—as opposed to those of the Mayan civilization.
The third burial was the tomb of a woman, and was discovered in 2009. The tomb contained pottery vessels, a beaded necklace, mirror fragments, and shells.
Prior to the recent discoveries, experts had believed Teotihuacán came to be long after Te K'ab Chaak and the other individuals would've been buried. 'Maya carved stone monuments, hieroglyphic dates, iconography, and archaeological data all suggest that widespread pan-Mesoamerican connections occurred after an event in 378 AD referred to as 'entrada,'' Diane Chase said in the press release.
However, data from the three burial sites dated further complicated experts' understanding of the cultural blending. According to researchers, all three tombs provide evidence that the Maya were enmeshed with Mesoamerica earlier than previously believed.
'Both central Mexico and the Maya area were clearly aware of each other's ritual practices, as reflected in the Caracol cremation,' Arlen Chase explained in the release. 'The connections between the two regions were undertaken by the highest levels of society, suggesting that initial kings at various Maya cities—such as Te K'ab Chaak at Caracol—were engaged in formal diplomatic relationships with Teotihuacán.'
It seems that there is still always more to learn about ancient Maya. Research continues at Caracol, as experts reconstruct the jadeite mask and analyze the DNA of skeletal materials. The Chases will present their recent findings at a conference held by the Maya Working Group at the Santa Fe Institute in August of 2025.
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