Archaeologists Unearth Treasure-Filled Tomb of First Mayan Metropolis Ruler

A team from the University of Texas has uncovered the 1,700-year-old tomb of a Mayan king in Guatemala’s El Perú-Waka’ site, believed to be the founder of a classical Mayan dynasty. The burial chamber contained:

• Jade death masks inlaid with obsidian
• Ceramic vessels filled with cocoa residue
• A royal scepter carved with hieroglyphs

“This ruler laid the foundation for centuries of Mayan civilization,” said lead archaeologist Dr. David Freidel. The discovery rewrites theories about early Mayan political power.