Huge First Ever Tomb Of Ancient Mayan Ruler Discovered In Xunantunich, Belize

MessageToEagle.com – Belize was in ancient times one of the most important site in the world of the ancient Mayan civilization. In Belize there are a number of magnificent ancient temples dedicated to ancient Mayan gods and rulers. Now, archaeologists have found a huge, mysterious tomb of an ancient Mayan ruler.

This is the first tomb ever found at Xunantunich and the largest to date in Belize.

Xunantunich, a major ceremonial center of Maya Civilization, is an ancient Maya archaeological site located atop a ridge above the Mopan River, about 80 miles (130 km) west of Belize City, Cayo District, in western Belize.

It’s composed of six major plazas, surrounded by more than twenty five temples and palaces.

Dr. Jaime Awe, an archaeologist from Northern Arizona University and native Belizean, led the expedition to excavate the tomb discovered on site. It was found 16 to 26 feet below ground and filled with more than just the accumulated detritus of the centuries.

Several items were found in the tomb including the skeletal remains of a male Maya ruler, jade beads, numerous other Maya artifacts, ceramics and long femur bones. Archaeologists feel that the animal could have been either a jaguar or a deer.

Based on the teeth, the appearance of the skull, and the size of the femurs of the skeleton, scientists estimate the ancient Mayan ruler was between 20-30 years when he was laid to rest.

See also:

Ancient Ruins Of Xunantunich – Mayan City That Once Flourished

Intriguing Ancient Ceremonial Site Of El Tajin In Mexico

‘Tonina Chiapas’ Mayan Pyramid In Southern Mexico Is Among The Largest Yet Found

This ancient tomb is remarkable in several other ways as well, especially for its notable size. Archaeologists are very excited about this discovery because it is one of the largest burial chambers ever uncovered by archaeologists.

Xunantunich means “Stone Woman” in the language of the ancient Maya. It is a name given to the site by modern researchers, as it is unknown what the Maya who inhabited the region would have called it hundreds of years ago. Local legend holds that around the end of the 1800’s, a man from the village of San Jose Succotz went hunting near the site and suddenly saw a beautiful statuesque Maya maiden, standing motionless in the rays of the rising sun near the mouth of a cave, which extended beneath the large structure.

Stricken by her appearance, the man threw his gun aside and ran downhill to the village. After recounting his tale several villagers led by the native priest returned to the site.

Arriving at the large mound they found the mouth of the tunnel, but the stone maiden has disappeared. Thereafter locals claim that the woman has appeared to several others but none have been able to follow her into the cavern.

In ancient time Belize was home to more than 2 million Mayas and there are still many more ancient tombs, artifacts and temple that wait to be fully discovered and explored.

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