A monumental discovery in the world of archaeology has unearthed the tomb of Te K’ab Chaak, the first ruler of Caracol, an ancient Maya city located in modern-day Belize. The team of archaeologists, led by Arlen Chase and Diane Chase, a married couple with nearly 50 years of archaeological experience, made the discovery at the Caracol Northeast Acropolis. This tomb, opens a new chapter in understanding Maya civilization and its far-reaching connections.
The Rise of Te K’ab Chaak
Te K’ab Chaak ascended to the throne and was instrumental in founding a royal dynasty that would last for over 460 years. The city of Caracol dominated the southern part of the Yucatán Peninsula before being abandoned by the 10th century.
Now the largest Maya archaeological site in modern-day Belize, Caracol stands as a testament to the extensive political and cultural influence exerted by the Maya. The tomb of Te K’ab Chaak, discovered within a royal family shrine, provides key insights into his reign and the lavish rituals associated with his burial.
Unearthing the Burial
Inside the tomb, archaeologists found a wealth of mortuary objects that paint a vivid picture of the burial practices and spiritual beliefs of the Maya elite. These included jadeite jewelry, a stunning mosaic jadeite mask, carved bone tubes, Pacific spondylus shells, and pottery vessels adorned with intricate scenes.
Some of the pottery depicted a Maya ruler receiving offerings, the Maya god of traders, and bound captives, reflecting the interconnectedness of religious and political themes in Maya society. Te K’ab Chaak was buried at an “advanced age” with no remaining teeth, and his physical remains suggest he stood around 5 feet 7 inches (170 centimeters).
Early Connections with Teotihuacán
The tomb of Te K’ab Chaak is part of a broader excavation that includes three major burials in Caracol. This timing is crucial, as it coincides with the period when Teotihuacán—located about 746 miles (1,200 kilometers) away in modern-day Mexico—was becoming a powerful city and trade hub. The presence of artifacts associated with Teotihuacán, including green obsidian blades and carved projectile tips, suggests early and significant interaction between the Maya and this central Mexican civilization. The discovery raises important questions about the nature of these interactions.
According to Diane Chase, archaeologists have long debated whether the Teotihuacán influence introduced a new political order in the Maya world. Evidence such as carved stone monuments, hieroglyphic dates, and iconography suggests widespread connections across Mesoamerica after an event in 378 BCE, known as the ‘entrada’. However, the findings from Caracol suggest that these connections were more complex than previously understood.
Insights from Other Burials at Caracol
The ongoing excavation of the Caracol Northeast Acropolis has revealed additional burials, including one with a cremation and another tomb. These discoveries indicate that the Maya were well aware of the ceremonial practices of central Mexico. For instance, one burial featured a spondylus bead necklace, mirror fragments, and pottery vessels—items that point to a shared ritualistic culture across Mesoamerican societies. In another burial, a cremation emerged alongside carved projectile tips, which are typical of Teotihuacán warriors.
These findings suggest that the deceased might have been a Caracol royal who adopted central Mexican practices or even a Maya envoy to Teotihuacán.
The Chases, who have worked in the region for decades, hypothesize that these connections were formal and high-level, involving the elite of both regions. According to Arlen Chase, “the connections between the two regions were undertaken by the highest levels of society,” which suggests that Maya kings, such as Te K’ab Chaak, were directly engaged in diplomatic relationships with Teotihuacán much earlier than traditionally believed.
