In a significant find, experts from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) have revealed an ancient Maya burial site. This discovery sheds light on a human sacrifice accompanied by the presence of a precious jade ring.
The unearthing of this find occurred while archaeologists were diligently excavating within the ancient Maya city known as El Tigre, or Itzamkanac.
This city, with its intriguing moniker translating to “the place of the lizard serpent,” rests in the Mexican state of Cameche, adjacent to the Rio Candelaria.
The INAH reported in its official newsletter that the antiquity of these findings is estimated at around 1,200 years.
Reporting at Mexico’s morning conference led by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Diego Prieto Hernández, the head of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), shared details about this significant find.
He also talked about the use of something called “Promeza” at these historical places. This technology helps shape today’s understanding by learning from and sharing insights about the past.
The skeleton of Maya’s sacrificial victim
The found skeleton, as Diego Prieto Hernández clarified, was actually part of a burial offering. Moreover, this discovery was found on platform 1E, which is situated to the west of the big complex known as Structure 1 in the El Tigre Archaeological Zone.
The ceremonial arrangement included two big vessels. These containers were topped with ceramic bowls used as covers. Among them, one vessel caught the archaeologists’ focus. Inside, they found the skeleton of a young person.
Moreover, this individual was placed in a bent position, and there was also a striking and well-preserved jade ring accompanying the remains. This ring was quite unique and stood out.
Considering the features of the containers, experts believe that this burial can be linked to the Late Classic period, which falls between AD 600 and 800. Additionally, this era matches the peak of population and political influence at El Tigre, reported INAH.
Prieto Hernández mentioned that the investigation will progress in the laboratory. There, a micro-excavation will take place. However, the aim is to gather precise details about the physical characteristics of the remains.
Moreover, they’re also hoping to uncover any other related items, like seeds or smaller ornaments, that might be connected to this discovery.
177 pre-Hispanic human burials located in Mayan train
As highlighted by the INAH’s director, this skeleton adds to a total of 177 ancient human burials found in Section 1 of the Mayan Train project.
These discoveries come from two sources: first, during the monitoring of archaeological rescues while laying the railway tracks, and second, through the utilization of the Promeza technology in the three specific regions.
Up until August 14, 2023, a total of 2,698 structures had been safeguarded, according to INAH’s director.
These include 248 pieces of furniture, 281,353 fragments of ceramics, and 55 natural elements linked to the existence of past human communities along this segment of the train route.