Guatemala excavates early Mayan ruler's tomb [700 - 400 BC!]

Phys.Org ^ | 10-25-2012 | Staff

[Red Badger]

Archaeologists announced Thursday they have uncovered the tomb of a very early Mayan ruler, complete with rich jade jewelry and decoration. Experts said the find at Guatemala's Tak'alik Ab'aj temple site could help shed light on the formative years of the Mayan culture. Government archaeologist Miguel Orrego said carbon-dating indicates the tomb was built between 700 and 400 B.C., several hundred years before the Mayan culture reached its height. He said it was the oldest tomb found so far at Tak'alik Ab'aj, a site in southern Guatemala that dates back about 2,200 years. Orrego said a necklace depicting a vulture-headed human figure appeared to identify the tomb's occupant as an "ajaw," or ruler.

"This symbol gives this burial greater importance," Orrego said. "This glyph says he ... is one of the earliest rulers of Tak'alik Ab'aj." No bones were found during the excavation of the tomb in September, probably because they had decayed. Experts said the rich array of jade articles in the tomb could provide clues about production and trade patterns. Susan Gillespie, an archaeologist at the University of Florida who was not involved in the excavation, said older tombs have been found from ruling circles at the Mayan site of Copan in Honduras as well as in southern Mexico, where the Olmec culture, a predecessor to the Mayas, flourished. Olmec influences are present in the area around Tak'alik Ab'aj, indicating possible links. Gillespie said that because it is near a jadeite production center, the find could shed light on early techniques and trade in the stone, which was considered by the Maya to have sacred properties.

[Red Badger]

This photo taken on May 25, 2012, released on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012 by Tak'alik Ab'aj Archaeological Project shows a jade piece in the tomb of a very early Mayan ruler at Tak'alik Ab'aj archaeological site in Retalhuleu, south of Guatemala City. Archaeologists in Guatemala announced Friday they have uncovered the tomb complete with rich jade jewelry and decoration. Government archaeologist Miguel Orrego says carbon-dating indicates the tomb was built between 700 and 400 B.C., several hundred years before the Mayan culture reached its apogee (AP Photo/Tak'alik Ab'aj Archaeological Project)

This photo taken on May 25, 2012, released on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012 by Tak'alik Ab'aj Archaeological Project shows the tomb of a very early Mayan ruler at Tak'alik Ab'aj archaeological site in Retalhuleu, south of Guatemala City. Archaeologists in Guatemala announced Friday they have uncovered the tomb complete with rich jade jewelry and decoration. Government archaeologist Miguel Orrego says carbon-dating indicates the tomb was built between 700 and 400 B.C., several hundred years before the Mayan culture reached its apogee (AP Photo/Tak'alik Ab'aj Archaeological Project)

[Red Badger]

Ping!...........

[Berlin_Freeper]

I wouldn’t mess with the Mayans around this time.

[MARTIAL MONK]

Kilroy was here.

[Red Badger]

12-22-2012..........

[Blood of Tyrants]

Looks like Alice the Goon to me

[Claytonbridge]

Two questions :

1. Did they see any sign of Jimmy Hoffa?

2. Did they find a new calendar that goes beyond 2012?

[NEMDF]

Some years ago (maybe around 1995??) when it was not considered a death wish to travel to Mexico, I had the good fortune of going to Cancun, with a trip to Chichen Itza on the itinerary.

I have never been much into archaeology or related, but I found Chichen Itza to be fascinating, and the visit there remains one of my most vivid memories.

[Huebolt]

Is it true that the Aztecs, Mayas, and so on never figured out how to make a WHEEL???

[ClaudiusI]

Did they find an early ballot cast for Obama?

[wildbill]

Oh No, Mr. Bill. Don’t break off my arms and legs!

Oooooh, Mr. Bill, don’t bury me with dirt.

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, Mr. Bill.

[SunkenCiv]

Take a lick’s tomb, eh? Thanks RB, will have to ping this when I get, uh, elsewhere.

[tet68]

Remember, Jade is very hard, carbon steel barely cuts
it, all these jade items were made using natural abrasives
and a lot of hand hours. Simply amazing.

[SunkenCiv]

;’)

[Revolting cat!]

Dude might of known Jesus hisself!

[SunkenCiv]

GGG managers are SunkenCiv, StayAt HomeMother & Ernest_at_the_Beach	join list or digest view topics view or post blog bookmark post a topic subscribe
Thanks Red Badger. To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list.

[colorado tanker]

I thought the jade encrusted jaguar at Chichen Itza was really cool. Indiana Jones type stuff.