Archaeologists in Belize have unearthed the 1,600-year-old tomb of Te K’ab Chaak, founding king of Caracol, one of the most powerful cities of the Classic Maya world. The tomb was located in a forested area close to the city's most towering pyramid, the final result of more than four decades of excavation. Its artifacts and location are a trove of clues about ancient Maya rulership and regional connections.
The Legacy Of A King And The City He Founded
Te K’ab Chaak took the throne in around 331 AD, setting the precedent of Caracol’s royal dynasty that lasted for more than 460 years. His reign was an early high point of Maya history, a time in which Caracol grew into a major urban and political power, exerting its influence throughout the Maya Lowlands.
UH Archaeologists Uncover a Ruler’s Tomb in Caracol, University of Houston, YouTube
The Tomb’s Location And Age
The tomb was buried below the forest canopy immediately next to the mighty pyramid of Caana, the ancient city’s most imposing architectural edifice. Dating was derived from Early Classic pottery designs and radiocarbon comparisons with other established artifacts in the vicinity that pinpoint the burial to 330–350 AD. No name inscription was found, but the timing and location are strong circumstantial evidence that it belongs to Te K’ab Chaak.
UH Archaeologists Uncover a Ruler’s Tomb in Caracol, University of Houston, YouTube
Portrait Of A Long-Reigning Monarch
From forensic study of the skeleton, researchers estimate the king was 5’7″ tall and of an advanced age; he’d lost all his teeth before death. Experts are unanimous in their belief in the importance of the discovery: the first confirmed royal tomb ever found at Caracol.
Ancient Royal Tomb Found at Caracol in Major Maya Discovery | PT 1, Love FM, YouTube
Treasure Trove Of Burial Items
The burial chamber offered up a wealth of fantastic artifacts fit for a king: jadeite jewelry, tubes of carved bone, an ominous jadeite mosaic death mask, Spondylus shell offerings, ceramic pottery, and bone carvings. These items are a stark reminder of this king’s absolute power and the far-reaching trade networks achieved by early Caracol rulers.
UH Archaeologists Uncover a Ruler’s Tomb in Caracol, University of Houston, YouTube
Meaning For The Wider Mesoamerican World
Artifacts like obsidian blades, atlatl points, and knives, with their possible origins in central Mexico strongly hint at early diplomatic or trade relations with the incredible city of Teotihuacan, far earlier than even the most dedicated Maya scholars thought. Excavators also exhumed nearby burials that themselves indicated Teotihuacán-style cremation practices.
What archaeologists from Houston found beneath Caracol will amaze you, KHOU 11, YouTube
Why Does This Discovery Matter?
This discovery is a great leap forward for our knowledge of the origins of Maya royalty at Caracol and provides priceless firsthand evidence of the roots of early Maya ruling dynasties. It only deepens Caracol’s stature as a political powerhouse, underlining its dominance in early interregional connections across Mesoamerica.
Devon Jones, Wikimedia Commons
Next Steps for Research
Researchers from the University of Houston, including Arlen and Diane Chase, continue analyzing artifacts, DNA samples, and burial context. Future efforts aim to confirm identity through epigraphy or epigenetic data and to better understand how early rulership evolved at Caracol.
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