Archaeologists from the University of Washington in St. Louis have discovered one of the oldest royal tombs in the pre-Columbian Mayan city of Vaca, located in northern Guatemala. This was reported on the university website.
Scientists have dated the tomb to AD 300-350. According to archaeologists, this is the earliest of all royal tombs found in the province of El Petén.
"The Maya revered their divine rulers and believed that after death their souls continue to live," - said archaeologist David Freidel.
Scientists have found that the tomb belongs to the ruler, because they found in it a jade mask depicting a man in a headdress in the form of an ear of corn. This is how the god of corn looked in Mayan mythology, and the rulers were often associated with him. In addition, archaeologists have found 22 ceramic vessels, jade jewelry and a crocodile-shaped pendant in the tomb. The ruler's remains and some of the decorations were painted bright red.
Scheme of the territories around the ancient tomb in Guatemala / Damien Marken
During previous excavations at Vake, scientists have discovered six royal tombs from the 5th, 6th and 7th centuries AD.