DISCOVERY! 1,600-year-old tomb of Maya city's first ruler unearthed in Belize

Archaeology is fascinating. We've been to Belize, so I was especially excited to read about this new discovery!

(photo: The ruined Maya city of Caracol in Belize is dominated by the Caana pyramid, which was once a temple. The newfound tomb was in a raised area immediately to the right, underneath the modern canopy of trees (Image credit: Caracol Archaeological Project, University of Houston))

1,600-year-old tomb of Maya city's first ruler unearthed in Belize

Live Science By Tom Metcalfe July 11, 2025

Archaeologists have discovered the tomb of the Maya king who founded the city of Caracol in what is now Belize.

The ruined Maya city of Caracol in Belize is dominated by the Caana pyramid, which was once a temple. The newfound tomb was in a raised area immediately to the right, underneath the modern canopy of trees (Image credit: Caracol Archaeological Project, University of Houston) Archaeologists in Belize have unearthed the tomb of the first ruler of the ancient Maya city of Caracol, which was a major center in the Maya Lowlands during the sixth and seventh centuries.

The tomb of Caracol's king, named Te K'ab Chaak (Mayan for "Tree Branch Rain God") dates to about A.D. 350; he had ascended the throne at Caracol in 331.

This is the first time any identifiable royal tomb has been found at Caracol since University of Houston archaeologists Diane Chase and Arlen Chase began excavations there more than 40 years ago, according to a statement released Thursday (July 10).

Te K'ab Chaak's tomb was one of three major tombs found in the "Northeast Acropolis" at the site — a raised complex just outside the city center that was used for royal homes and public ceremonies.

The royal tomb contained pottery vessels, carved bones, seashells, tubular jade beads, and a mosaic death mask made of jade. One pottery vessel portrayed a Maya ruler holding a spear while receiving offerings, while another showed Ek Chuah, the Maya god of traders, surrounded by offerings, the statement said.

An earlier discovery in 2010 had found artifacts from central Mexico, including obsidian blades, which indicated the influence of the central Mexican city of Teotihuacán, which also influenced the later Aztecs.