Latest news with #DianeChase
Yahoo
5 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
News18
5 days ago
- Science
- News18
Ancient Mayan King's Treasure Tomb Discovered In Belize: Here's What Archaeologists Found Inside
Archaeologists in Belize found the tomb of Te K'ab Chaak, Caracol's first known ruler from AD 350, in Caana. In a discovery hailed as one of the most significant in decades, archaeologists in Belize uncovered the tomb of Te K'ab Chaak, the first known ruler of the ancient Maya city of Caracol, offering a rare glimpse into the early dynastic origins of one of the Maya civilization's most powerful cities. The royal burial, dating back to around AD 350, was discovered by archaeologists Dr. Arlen and Dr. Diane Chase of the University of Houston, who have been excavating Caracol for over 40 years in collaboration with Belize's Institute of Archaeology. The tomb was found deep within Caana or the 'Sky Place"- the tallest structure in Caracol and one of the most imposing manmade buildings of the ancient world. Rising 141 feet high, Caana dwarfs many modern structures and reflects Caracol's once-formidable presence in the Maya world. Dr. Diane Chase said, 'This is one of our most important finds. We found the first person in the dynasty. That, in itself, in terms of the history of Caracol, is huge." Although previous tombs had revealed elite individuals, this is the first burial to match hieroglyphic records confirming the identity of a ruler. Treasures From A Lost Kingdom: What Was Inside The Tomb Inside the tomb, archaeologists uncovered an array of beautifully crafted offerings and treasures. Among them were jade mosaic death masks, jade beads and jewelry and clay pots adorned with intricate artwork. They also discovered carved bones, seashells and a particularly striking pot depicting Ek Chuah, the Mayan god of trade, surrounded by offerings. Other artifacts include vivid scenes showing bound prisoners and a king receiving tributes, all adding to the tomb's ceremonial richness. One of the mosaic death masks is believed to depict Te K'ab Chaak himself. His skeletal remains suggest he stood about 5 feet 7 inches tall and was elderly at the time of his death, having lost all his teeth, likely due to age. The Story Of Caracol Founded as early as 900 BC, Caracol reached its height between AD 600 and 800, rivaling other great Maya cities like Tikal and Calakmul. Spanning more than 75 square miles, it is now considered the largest known Maya archaeological site in Belize. The tomb of Te K'ab Chaak marks the third major royal burial found at the site from this era. In 2009, archaeologists uncovered a richly adorned tomb believed to belong to a noblewoman. A second burial revealed cremated remains of three individuals, accompanied by two large knives and items that appear to have originated from central Mexico, indicating long-distance connections or ritual exchanges. Te K'ab Chaak, whose name means 'Tree Branch Rain God," now stands as the foundational figure in Caracol's known history. His tomb not only confirms the city's dynastic origins but also paints a vivid portrait of Mayan royal life, spiritual practice and political authority. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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.
NDTV
5 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
Ancient Mayan King's Tomb Filled With Treasures Found In Central America
Archaeologists in Central America's Belize have discovered the tomb of the first ruler of the ancient Maya city of Caracol. The husband-wife duo, Dr Arlen and Dr Diane Chase of the University of Houston, achieved the historic milestone after over 40 years of excavation. The Royal Tomb belongs to Te K'ab Chaak, meaning "Tree Branch Rain God," the first known king of Caracol and the founder of its royal dynasty. The couple, who led the Caracol Archaeological Project, worked in collaboration with Belize's Institute of Archaeology. The Chases named the structure Caana, which translates to "Sky Place" in Maya, because of its enormous height and size. It rises 141 feet into the sky. "It is one of our most important finds. We found the first person in the dynasty, so that, in itself, in terms of the history of Caracol, is huge, and it's incredible that we could identify him as a ruler," Dr Diana told the University of Houston. She added, "We've found numerous tombs with really impressive artefacts inside that were clearly members of the royal family, but this is the first one where it matches with hieroglyphic records to be a ruler and beyond that, the first dynastic ruler." According to the Caracol Archaeological Project, the city of Caracol dates as far back as 900 BC and thrived for centuries until the broader collapse of the Maya civilisation between AD 800-900. It was one of the most powerful Mayan cities and is now considered the largest Mayan archaeological site in Belize. Archaeologists found many valuable and beautifully crafted items such as clay pots, carved bones, seashells, jade beads, and jade death masks made with mosaic. One such piece showed Mayan King receiving offerings, while the other pieces showed prisoners tied up, reported CBS News. One of the pots also had a picture of Ek Chuah, the Mayan god of traders, surrounded by offerings. The king, 5 feet 7 inches tall, was quite old when he died, as he had no teeth left, researchers said. This is the third tomb discovered at Caracol that dates back to around AD 350. The first tomb, found in 2009, contained the body of a woman along with jewellery, seashells, and pottery. In the second attempt, the ashes of three people, in a container, along with two large knives and several items that seemed to come from central Mexico, were found.
Boston Globe
6 days ago
- General
- Boston Globe
In Belize, Maya ruler's tomb unearthed with artifacts from his ancient world
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.' Advertisement 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, and the red cinnabar all around indicated it was for someone of very high status. But it was the mosaic mask, in pieces of jadeite off to the side, that made him realize just how unusual the tomb was. 'Oh my God, this is much more important than I thought it was,' he remembers thinking. With each discovery he called Diane Chase, an archaeologist with whom he has been working at Caracol for four decades. Advertisement 'I kept saying, 'Do you want me to come down?'' she said. 'And he kept saying no. And then, eventually he said yes.' The Chases will celebrate 50 years of marriage in August. Diane Chase hurried from their base at the University of Houston to take stock of the discoveries. The Maya ruler, they determined, had grown old for his time, living long enough to lose all his teeth and for bone to grow over his jaw. 'We've never found anyone that we could identify as a ruler at Caracol before, so that in itself was amazing,' Diane Chase said. 'Double wow,' she continued, the ruler could be identified as the founder of a dynasty. The ruler had been interred not just with the mask but three sets of jadeite ear flares, an extraordinary luxury for the Maya elite, and a variety of ceramic vessels. They showed the Maya god of traders — a hummingbird and a ruler holding a spear, with supplicants making offerings to him. Vessels depicted a monkey, an owl, and the heads of coatimundi — mammals sometimes described as raccoons crossed with lemurs. 'It's stuff that we've never seen before,' Arlen Chase said about some of the designs. Through hieroglyphics, the archaeologists identified the ruler as Te K'ab Chak, who took the throne in A.D. 331. He ruled Caracol as it was growing into a larger city, the Chases said, but centuries before its peak as a regional power with an estimated 100,000 people. Like other Maya cities, it had been abandoned around A.D. 900. The discovery 'adds a whole new dimension' to the site, said Melissa Badillo, the director of Belize's Institute of Archaeology, a longtime working partner of the Chases. 'This is the first of its kind in that it's a ruler, a founder, somebody so old, and in so good a condition, to be honest, because the humidity doesn't lend itself well to preservation.' Advertisement For the Chases, the discovery was thrilling also because of how the artifacts related to other finds over the years. 'Without this tomb, we wouldn't have any idea as to how everything tied together,' Arlen Chase said. Some of the artifacts found in the tomb closely resemble those at two other Caracol burials, dating around A.D. 350, the Chases said. One of those also held cremated human remains, blades of green obsidian from central Mexico and a projectile for an atlatl — used to throw spears — the sort of object often associated with Teotihuacán, an ancient metropolis nearly 750 miles to the north. Cremation was a practice of high-status Teotihuacán but not of the Maya elite. The evidence, the Chases argue, suggests that the early Maya had relations with the people of central Mexico decades earlier than previously thought, despite the great geographic distances between their cities. It is likely to have taken more than 150 days to walk from Teotihuacán to Caracol in the days of Te K'ab Chak. Even today it takes nearly 24 hours by car. The artifacts show that these cities were not just aware of one another but also interacting, perhaps with envoys at the highest levels of society, the Chases said — a sign of what they called a 'globalized' ancient world of trade and diplomacy. That conclusion fits with other research showing that the Maya built societies with complicated political relationships, experts said, although some expressed caution about extrapolating from the artifacts until they could learn more. Advertisement 'This was a very dynamic, political world,' Feinman said. 'They have evidence of some kind of connection to Teotihuacán in central Mexico, but what the mechanism of that connection is — a person? ideas? — it's harder to say. Their interpretations may be right, but I would say I'd like to see it spelled out in an article before I could say more.' Rosemary Joyce, an anthropologist at the University of California, Berkeley, also said that she wanted to learn more. DNA and isotope testing, which the Chases hope to do, could reveal more about the lives of the interred people, and more detail about the ceramic vessels could help determine if they were imported or local imitations, Joyce said. The Chases believe that the artifacts indicate prolonged Maya relations with Teotihuacán decades before A.D. 378, a moment often called the 'entrada,' which some archaeologists believe signals the arrival of central Mexicans into the southern lowlands. When exactly all these cities were interacting, and how and where, will almost certainly be a matter of intense debate among archaeologists, in part because the degree of precision that dating technology can offer is limited. Badillo said that Belizean authorities hoped to showcase some of the artifacts at Caracol, and that the site should become more accessible with the completion of a new road. She also said that she expected that the Chases, 'based on their track record,' would be back to the site again soon.
