Latest news with #Caracol
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Archaeologists Uncover Long Lost Tomb of Mayan King of Caracol
The mysteries surrounding the life and death of Te K'ab Chaak, the first ruler of the ancient Mayan city of Caracol in Belize, are about to get some answers. More than 40 years after uncovering Caana, the central architectural complex at Caracol, Belize, husband-and-wife archaeologists Arlen and Diane Chase have made a pivotal discovery in their exploration of the ancient ruins of Caracol. The couple and their research team have uncovered the burial tomb of Te K'ab Chaak.'The discovery is the first identifiable ruler's tomb found in over four decades of work in Caracol, the largest Maya archaeological site in Belize and in the Maya lowlands,' according to a press release from the University of Houston. Chaak, who ascended to the throne to become the city's first king in 331 AD, is believed to have died in 350 AD. Based on what the Chases and their team discovered, Chaak 'was interred at the base of a royal family shrine with 11 pottery vessels, carved bone tubes, jadeite jewelry, a mosaic jadeite mask, Pacific spondylus shells, and other perishable materials.' Based on their findings, the Chases guess that Chaak 'was of advanced age' at the time of his burial. He is believed to have been 5'7' tall and had no remaining teeth. While the discovery has allowed researchers to answer some questions, it has also prompted the asking of other queries. 'One question that has perplexed Maya archaeologists since the 1960s is whether a new political order was introduced to the Maya area by Mexicans from Teotihuacan,' Diane Chase said. 'Whether this event represented actual Teotihuacanos in the Maya area or Maya using central Mexican symbols is still debated,' she continued. One thing she does know is that 'The Caracol archaeological data suggests that the situation was far more complicated.'Even following Chaak's passing, the dynasty he founded continued on for more than 450 years—making the discovery even more important to tracing the history of the civilization. 'Research continues on the contents of the chamber with the reconstruction of the jadeite death mask and with ancient DNA and stable isotope analysis of the skeletal material,' the statement says. The Chases will continue researching their discovery and plan to present the results of their findings at New Mexico's Santa Fe Institute in August. Archaeologists Uncover Long Lost Tomb of Mayan King of Caracol first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 11, 2025
The Sun
5 days ago
- Science
- The Sun
Lost tomb & body of ancient 1,700-year-old king buried with chilling death mask uncovered in Mayan temple
ARCHAEOLOGISTS have uncovered the 1,700-year-old tomb of the earliest known ruler of the ancient Maya city of Caracol. The tomb of Te K'ab Chaak, who once ruled over what is now modern-day Belize, was filled with a trove of ancient burial items. 5 5 5 A number of impressive objects, including 11 pottery vessels, jadeite jewellery, a mosaic jadeite mask and Pacific spondylus shells, were found at the burial site, which dates back to around 350 AD. As is typical for Maya funerary masks, the one found - though broken - was made by fitting together small pieces of jadeite, a precious green stone, into a mosaic pattern. The discovery of Te K'ab Chaak's tomb provides new insights into the origins of Maya dynastic rule and early regional interactions in Mesoamerica. After more than four decades of excavation, married archaeologists Arlen F. Chase and Diane Z. Chase from the University of Houston made a breakthrough. This marks the first time a Caracol king has been identified. Te K'ab Chaak became ruler in around 331 AD, founding the royal dynasty of Caracol - a major Maya metropolis until its abandonment by 900 AD. The Chases believe that Te K'ab Chaak was of advanced age at the time of his death. He stood around 5 feet 7 inches tall, according to their estimations. Te K'ab Chaak's tomb was located at the base of a royal family shrine. Archaeologists uncovered a cremation burial containing the remains of three individuals, dating to around 350 AD. LOST AT SEA Inside sunken ancient Egyptian city known as 'Venice of the Nile' with incredible temples that drowned 1,200 years ago The tomb also held items from central Mexico, including knives, obsidian blades and atlatl points. The discovery comes just over a month after an ancient Mayan city was discovered by archaeologists in northern Guatemala. The nearly 3,000-year-old remains include remarkable pyramids and monuments that appear to be "sculpted with unique iconography". This ancient city, named Los Abuelos - the Spanish for "The Grandparents" - once stood around 13 miles from the significant archaeological site of Uaxactún, according to Guatemala's culture ministry. 5 5 Los Abuelos gets its name from two human-like sculptures of an "ancestral couple" found there. These figures "could be linked to ancient ritual practices of ancestor worship", the ministry added. The city is likely to have been "one of the most ancient and important ceremonial centres" of Mayan civilisation. Meanwhile, another ancient Mayan city was discovered deep inside a dense jungle within the Balamkú ecological reserve in the Mexican state of Campeche. Named Ocomtún - which means "stone column" in Yucatec Maya - the city was hailed as a "monumental" discovery by Mexican authorities in 2023. The settlement dates from roughly 250 AD and 1000 AD. Ocomtún boasts remains of several massive pyramid-like structures, three plazas with "imposing buildings", numerous stone columns and other cylindrical structures. One pyramid is estimated to have stood as tall as 82 feet, towering over the surrounding jungle. Who were the ancient Maya? THE Maya were an ancient, indigenous Mesoamerican civilisation that inhabited present-day Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador. Flourishing for over two millennia - from around 2000 BC until the Spanish conquest in the 16th century AD - they developed one of the most sophisticated cultures in the ancient Americas. The Maya are celebrated for their achievements in architecture, mathematics, astronomy, art and writing. They built vast cities with tall step pyramids and palaces and also created intricate jadeite masks and objects. Their writing system, known as Maya hieroglyphs, was one of the most complex in the pre-Columbian Americas, used to record historical events, religious texts and royal genealogies. Maya mathematicians independently developed the concept of zero and used an advanced vigesimal system. This enabled them to produce highly accurate calendars. The Maya were conquered and destroyed by the Spanish invaders in around 1600 AD. But millions of Maya people still live today, preserving their languages and traditions.
New York Times
6 days ago
- Science
- New York Times
Maya Ruler's Tomb Is Unearthed in Belize, With Clues to His Ancient World
The archaeologists worked in the shadow of towering Maya ruins, piercing the floor of a structure they had searched years before. Below, they found an even more ancient chamber, still holding a body and the treasures it was buried with: a rare mosaic death mask and jadeite jewelry, shells from the Pacific and elaborate designs on pottery and bone. It was the 1,700-year-old tomb of a Maya ruler — the first ever found at Caracol, the largest Maya site in Belize — and it held clues to a Mesoamerican world where cities contended with one another from hundreds of miles apart. 'They've found a very early ruler, so that's very important, and he's claimed to be the founder of a dynasty,' said Gary Feinman, an archaeologist at Field Museum of Chicago who was not involved in the excavation. 'That's a major find.' Arlen Chase, one of the archaeologists working at Caracol, was among the first to enter the tomb. 'As soon as we saw the chamber, we knew we had something,' he said. From the style of ceramic vessels, he knew the tomb was exceptionally old. From the red cinnabar all around, he knew it was for someone of very high status. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Telegraph
26-06-2025
- Telegraph
Why a holiday in historic Belize belongs on your bucket list
Stand before the 130ft-high pyramid of El Castillo at Xunantunich, overlooking the Mopan River, with its extraordinary carved frieze, and you'll feel powerful echoes of an ancient Maya civilisation that thrived for centuries. It is just one of hundreds of evocative monuments built by the Maya in Belize, a Central American country that packs an astonishing variety of history and nature into its diminutive borders. Caana is another structure that commands a visit – a gigantic pyramid encompassing several temples and palaces that is the centrepiece of Caracol, which was once a huge city of 140,000 inhabitants. Nestled in the lush jungle, these and other impressively well-preserved gems have the advantage of not being overrun by visitors. Many settlements were lost under foliage over the centuries after the Maya reign but have been carefully unearthed by archaeologists who have maintained the monuments' special relationship with the wild landscapes. Nearby visitor centres explain the purposes of the key buildings and reveal their remarkable prowess in astronomy, mathematics and art. Belize is barely larger than Wales, so you're never far from an inspiring historical site, making it easy to combine an investigation of the country's deep history with an exotic wildlife experience or a thrilling Indiana Jones-style adventure. At the very least, a visit to any of these sites will be accompanied by the sights and sounds of colourful birds and possibly monkeys too. The vast Hokeb Ha (Blue Creek) Cave, which can only be accessed by swimming through its crystal waters, is close to Lubaantun Archaeological Park, known for its unique slate buildings that were constructed with equally unique methods, with no mortar used. Artefacts from sacred ceremonies have been found inside the cave and, if that isn't enough, one of Belize's glittering waterfalls is also close by. Insights into the secrets of the Maya have also been revealed through the vast array of tools, vessels and weapons – along with skeletons – found in Belize's best-known underground complex, the ATM Caves, which were only rediscovered in 1989. Far from disappearing completely, the Maya civilisation has endured: its descendants are very much alive today, and their influence can be found in the vibrant melting-pot that is modern Belize. As well as Maya, there are several other key cultures. Mestizos are the people of Maya-Spanish heritage, resulting from the country's colonial days. Garifuna people can trace their roots to Carib, Arawak and West African ancestors. More familiar will be Creole, where the European-African spirit infuses food, art and music. Of course, to really get to know a place's culture you have to dine there, and the cuisine of Belize perfectly reflects the amalgam of people living there: Maya, African, Spanish and Caribbean flavours have all left their mark. Rice and beans is the staple dish that's served everywhere but there are plenty of others that warrant a try. Look out for crispy conch fritters, just one example from the bountiful Caribbean Sea, and garnaches, which are fried tortillas topped with beans, cabbage, salsa and cheese. Then there's pibil – tender, slow-roasted pork. Don't be surprised to see meat pies at breakfast, and evening meals can be washed down with the local Belikin beer. To enjoy a blissful, authentic getaway to Belize that takes advantage of lower travel costs, visit during Green Season, which runs from June to November. With fewer tourists present, you have greater freedom to explore the country's countless natural and historic treasures. It's also worth trying to coincide your visit with one of the many festivals. These can be high-energy carnivals, with elaborate costumes and drumming (held in September), or more quirky events such as the Monkey River Festival (which happens in May), featuring traditional games and dancing. There are also fiestas to celebrate chocolate, cashews, mangos and lobsters. To make the most of a holiday in Belize it's best to book with a company that knows the country inside out. Journey Latin America is the UK's top specialist in travel to Latin America. Founded in 1980 this specialist tour operator has been creating award-winning tailor-made holidays and leading small, escorted group tours to every corner of the region for over 40 years. With a longstanding team of travel experts – all of whom have lived, worked or travelled extensively throughout the area – its staff pride themselves on being the most knowledgeable people in the industry when it comes to travel in Latin America. A 12-day Signature Belize Tour with Journey Latin America costs from £3,550 per person. This includes transfers, domestic flights, excursions and good-quality hotels on a bed and breakfast basis.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Colombia government to propose fresh $2.86 billion tax reform to Congress
BOGOTA (Reuters) - The Colombian government plans to pitch a new tax reform to Congress to raise at least 12 trillion pesos ($2.86 billion) needed to finance its budget, Finance Minister Diego Guevara said on Thursday, after lawmakers struck down a similar proposal late last year. Guevara, in an interview with local radio station Caracol, added that the government could seek an even higher amount from the reform. Last year, Congress rejected a tax reform proposal to raise around 9.8 trillion pesos to round out the funding needed to finance the 2025 budget. With those funds off the table, the government had to tighten its purse strings and reduce spending to around 511 trillion pesos. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. "It is no secret that there is significant tax pressure this year," Guevara said in the interview. "We need new resources," he added, saying President Gustavo Petro had requested sending another proposal. Petro's administration will once again float some measures lawmakers rejected last year, according to Guevara, including tax cuts for small-to-medium-size businesses while imposing taxes on industries such as mining and energy. "We're still in the initial stage (of planning the new proposal)," Guevara said. "The baseline will be 12 trillion pesos (raised), but we may aim for a bit more to ensure stability this year and in the longer term." Petro's government has limited backing in Congress. The autonomous fiscal rule committee (CARF) estimates that the government's spending earmarked for this year is still 40 trillion pesos over, despite trimming off 12 trillion pesos already. ($1 = 4,188.59 Colombian pesos)
