Jade Mask found in the tomb of a Maya King

Photo Credit: National Geographic

In a groundbreaking archaeological discovery, a team of researchers has uncovered a jade mask in the tomb of a Maya King at Chochkitam, a relatively unknown Maya polity in the northeastern region of Peten, Guatemala.

Chochkitam, as revealed by contemporary inscriptions, stands as a royal city with a lineage dating back to Preclassic times. The site, initially documented in 1909, has been subject to ongoing studies that have unveiled three main monumental groups linked by a central causeway.

Recently featured in National Geographic, excavations at Chochkitam have brought to light an interlocking jade mask within the burial chamber of a Maya King. Historically, jade masks have served as symbolic representations of deities or ancestors, signifying the wealth and influence of the entombed individuals.

A significant turn of events unfolded after a LiDAR survey in 2021 indicated that grave robbers had infiltrated the central structure of a royal pyramid through a tunnel. Upon closer inspection, researchers observed that the intruders had missed a specific area within the inner chamber of the pyramid.

This oversight led to the discovery of a human skull, assorted teeth and bone fragments, a coffin-shaped stone box, and funerary offerings such as a pot, oyster shells, and numerous interlocking jade pieces forming a remarkable jade mask when assembled.

Carvings and hieroglyphs found on some of the bone fragments spell out the name "Itzam Kokaj Bahlam," believed by researchers to be the identity of the Maya king interred around AD 350. Particularly intriguing is a carving on one of the bones depicting the ruler holding the head of a Maya deity—an uncanny resemblance to the assembled jade mask.

Dr. Estrada-Belli, a professor at Tulane University, shared insights with National Geographic, stating, "Everything suggests to me that this was a Maya king who was part of a network of Maya royalty in the sphere of influence of Tikal and Teotihuacán."

The discovery not only sheds light on the rich history of Chochkitam but also provides valuable insights into the interconnected web of Maya royalty during the height of their civilization.