Ancient Mayan Ruler’s Tomb Found at Guatemalan Ruin

Guatemalan archeologists have discovered one of the oldest known royal tombs in the ancient Maya city of Takalik Abaj, about 125 miles west of Guatemala City.

The tomb was discovered under a ceremonial astronomical platform, said archeologist Christa Schieber de Lavarreda of the Guatemalan Ministry of Culture and Sport.

In addition to hundreds of plates and earthen pots, the team found two delicate ear ornaments, a jade necklace, other pieces of jewelry and a jade ceremonial mask.

The body of the king was not present, but testing of the soil showed high levels of phosphorus, indicating that the bones had disintegrated.

Study of the soil also indicated the outline of a head that once rested there, Schieber said.

Schieber’s findings are reported in the May issue of National Geographic.

Researchers have been working at Takalik Abaj, which translates as “Standing Stones,” since the late 19th century.

Researchers have found 277 Maya and Olmec monuments bearing intricate inscriptions.

Several of the Mayan monuments bear some of the oldest Maya glyphs ever discovered.

Takalik Abaj was probably prosperous from the 8th century BC to the 2nd century AD because it sat on a trade route on which merchants hauled valuable goods, such as cacao and salt, to distant cities in Mexico and El Salvador, returning with jade, quetzal feathers, pyrite and obsidian.

The king, who researchers have yet to identify, was probably the last ruler of the city, Schieber said.