Tomb of First Caracol Ruler Unveiled, Rewriting Maya History

Archaeologists at Caracol, Belize have unearthed the tomb of Te K’ab Chaak, the first ruler of this major Maya city. The discovery, the first identifiable ruler's tomb in over four decades, reveals a wealth of artifacts including jadeite jewelry, a mosaic mask, and pottery depicting Maya rulers and deities. The tomb's contents, along with a nearby cremation containing artifacts from Teotihuacan, Mexico, suggest complex interactions between the Maya and Teotihuacan civilizations as early as 350 AD, predating previously established timelines and challenging existing narratives about Maya social structure and political power. This groundbreaking discovery pushes back the date of significant Mesoamerican interaction and highlights the extensive travel networks of the ancient world.