, but there are no fewer questions
Researchers recently shared one of the most exciting and mysterious discoveries in ancient Maya history in recent years. This is a jade pendant engraved with a detailed account of the king for whom it was made. First discovered back in 2015, the pendant, or rather the inscriptions on it, was subjected to a preliminary translation. The information presented to the researchers turned out to be even more unusual than originally thought. So unusual that some researchers have thought about rewriting our current understanding of the history of this ancient people.
This T-shaped jade plate was supposedly worn on the chest of the king during Mayan religious ceremonies. It is considered to be large, but in reality it is not that big. Perhaps it can be called such by comparison. At 19 cm wide, 10 cm high and 0.8 cm thick, it is the second largest jade product ever found in Belize. But it is also the first known Maya text of historical content. On the reverse side of the pendant, there are about 30 carved hieroglyphs that reveal details about its first owner. In principle, there is little mystery here, although the debate about the accuracy of the translation of glyphs is quite heated.
The strangest is the place where this pendant was found. The place of the find is really unusual! This artifact was found at Nim Lee Punit in the south of Belize, a rather isolated region both during the Maya and now. For comparison, imagine that the Monomakh Hat was discovered in a remote village beyond the Urals.
It only seems that the smallest distance between two points is a straight line. The mountains and impenetrable jungle still force us to detour.
Nim Lee Punit is a small geographic point in the modern Toledo District of Belize. It is important that this historical site is located on the southeastern outskirts of the ancient Mayan civilization zone. This is approximately 402 km or more south of Chichen Itza in Mexico, where similar but smaller breast pieces have been found.
It is believed that Nim Li Punit was inhabited by the Maya between 150 and 850 AD and researchers have discovered several important artifacts at this archaeological site. The pendant itself was discovered in a ruined tomb in the ruins of a palace built around 400 AD. e. The tomb dates from around 800 AD. e., that is, the end of the dawn of the Mayan civilization. Along with the pendant, other artifacts were discovered - earthen vessels and a large stone that was carved in the shape of a deity.
In this photo you can see the complete inscription of 30 characters:
Promotional video:
Photo of the University of California, San Diego.
So what does the text of this ritual decoration tell us? The text is still in the process of being translated. The translation itself is complicated by the fact that the Mayan writing was not completely deciphered, and among researchers there is far from agreement on the meaning of the symbols of the language of this people. However, according to a preliminary translation, the artifact was created for the king of Janaab 'Ol' K'inich and was first used in 672 AD as part of the incense scattering ceremony.
Further in the text, the ceremony itself is described, after which it ends with a passage connecting the king with the powerful and huge Mayan city - Caracol, which is located northeast of Nim Lee Punit, also in modern Belize.
Even today, between two objects, which are separated by a mountain ridge and dense forest, more than 5 hours of not the most comfortable ride, even in a modern powerful SUV. In this regard, in past studies, the relationship between objects was not even considered. Moreover, none of the researchers considered the regular Nim Li Punit as a settlement somehow connected with the royal power. Braswell believes that the pendant indicates that King Janaab 'Ol' K'inich arrived in Nim Li Punit, where he founded a new dynasty. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that on the architectural structures of Nim Li Punit, images carved in stone (some are not completed) of the Mayan kings and members of the royal family were found. In addition, other Mayan hieroglyphs are found in the region.
What plans the Mayan rulers had for this remote settlement remains a mystery. Perhaps they wanted to create a new capital or a new religious center. Perhaps they fled from some kind of danger in Karakol and Nim Li Punit became their last stronghold. Or maybe it was their familiar dacha to all of us, where they, far from the bustle of the city, could have a rest and start growing potatoes and tomatoes (of course, this is a joke!).
And here is Jeffrey Braswell himself from the University of California, San Diego.
However, much more research and archaeological excavation still needs to be done to understand how this jade pendant fits into Mayan history, bringing together the traditional centers of their civilization and this remote and lost corner.