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Archaeologists Unearth Treasure-Filled Tomb of the First Ruler in This Mayan Metropolis
CARACOL, BELIZE, JUL 14 – The tomb reveals early Maya-Teotihuacan cultural links and artifacts, with Te K'ab Chaak's dynasty lasting over 460 years, reshaping understanding of Mesoamerican political history.
- Archaeologists Arlen and Diane Chase discovered the tomb of Caracol's first ruler, Te K'ab Chaak, in Belize after four decades of research.
- The discovery followed extensive excavations at Caracol's Northeast Acropolis, where prior burial sites dating to around 350 AD were found.
- The tomb, covered in cinnabar, contained jade jewelry, ceramic vessels, a mosaic jadeite death mask, and artifacts typical of Teotihuacan society, showing early Maya-Mesoamerican connections.
- Diane Chase explained that finding even a single set of jade earflares is uncommon, so discovering three sets is exceptionally rare. Additionally, Arlen pointed out that the presence of cinnabar, a red pigment, indicates the individual’s status as a member of the highest royal class, emphasizing Te K'ab Chaak's elite position.
- The tomb confirms Te K'ab Chaak's reign beginning in 331 CE and a dynasty that lasted over 460 years, implying significant political and cultural influence in Maya history.
17 Articles
17 Articles
After more than 40 years of research and excavations at the ancient Mayan city of Caracol, scientists have finally unearthed the tomb of one of its rulers. More importantly, the tomb contains the remains of Te K'ab Chaak, the first king of the pre-Hispanic state and founder of a royal dynasty, IFLScience reports.
After more than forty years of excavations at the same site, American archaeologists and the Chase couple in Belize have finally discovered the remains of the first royal tomb in Caracol, an ancient Mayan city in the jungle.
Tomb of First Maya Ruler of Caracol Unearthed in Belize - Archaeology Magazine
Ceramic vessel interior painted with an image of a hummingbird CARACOL, BELIZE—According to a statement released by The University of Houston, archaeologists working at the Maya city of Caracol recently made a groundbreaking discovery—the tomb of the city’s very first ruler, a man called Te K’ab Chaak. It is the first time any royal burial has been identified at the site. The team was led by university researchers Arlen and Diane Chase, who have…
der Standard AT
der Standard DEThe founder of a dynasty of rulers was surrounded by his treasures in an almost 1700-year-old tomb in the northeastern palace area of the Mayan metropolis
Archaeologists Unearth Treasure-Filled Tomb of the First Ruler in This Mayan Metropolis
A major breakthrough in Maya archaeology had been made down in Belize, as the royal tomb of a major city’s first-known ruler is discovered by a husband-wife archaeology team. Buried with elaborate jade, ceramics, and symbolic artifacts, the tomb offers unprecedented insight into early Maya royalty and connections with the non-Mayan Mexican city-state of Teotihuacan. […] The post Archaeologists Unearth Treasure-Filled Tomb of the First Ruler in T…
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