Ancient Maya Carvings Discovered in Guatemala Pyramid

Hundreds of years ago, the Tikal kings ruled over a part of Guatemala in their Maya city state. There, they established far-reaching alliances with other kingdoms throughout the Maya Lowlands. Now archaeologists have unearthed new remains from the time of this ancient civilization, revealing a rare polychrome-painted stucco frieze that was beautifully carved on a Maya pyramid.

The stucco relief itself stands along the exterior of a multi-roomed rectangular building, much of which still remains encased in rubble. Painted in red with details in blue, green and yellow, the carving is an amazing find that tells the archaeologists a little bit more about the function of the building.

What does it show exactly? The carving depicts human figures in a mythological setting, which suggests that they may be deified rulers. All of the figures wear elaborate bird headdresses and jade jewels, and are seated cross-legged over the head of a mountain spirit known as a witz. It also possesses an inscription that says the edifice was commissioned by the ruler of Naranjo, a powerful kingdom to the south of Holmul. In the dedication, King Ajwosaj Chan K'inich claims to have restored the local ruling line and patron deities.

"Ajwosaj was one of the greatest rulers of Naranjo," said Alex Tokovinine, one of the researchers involved in the project, in a news release. "The new inscription provides the first glimpse of the remarkable extent of Ajwosaj's political and religious authority. It also reveals how a new order was literally imprinted on a broader landscape of local gods and ancestors."

The tomb associated with the building where the carving was found was discovered in a cavity dug into the stairway leading up to the building. The archaeologists found a skeleton of an adult male there in addition to his ceramic offering. Dressed in a wooden mask and earrings, the man was also accompanied by vessels that bore clear references to the nine lords of the underworld. It's likely that he was part of one of the ruling class at Holmul.

Currently the archaeologists plan to continue exploring and preserving the ancient remains of this building. They will continue excavations in 2014 when they return to the area.

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