Archaeologists from the University of Houston have uncovered the tomb of Te K'ab Chaak, the first known ruler of the ancient Maya city of Caracol in Belize. This significant find, announced in July 2025, provides valuable insights into the early political and cultural developments of the Maya civilization.
The tomb, dating to approximately 350 AD, was discovered beneath a royal family shrine in Caracol's Northeast Acropolis. It contained a variety of artifacts, including eleven pottery vessels, jadeite jewelry, a mosaic jadeite mask, and Pacific spondylus shells. These items reflect the high status of the individual and the city's wealth during that period.
Notably, some pottery vessels depicted scenes of a Maya ruler holding a spear and receiving offerings from deities, as well as the god Ek Chuah, associated with trade. This suggests that Caracol's early rulers engaged in complex diplomatic relationships and were aware of Mesoamerican-wide connections prior to the Teotihuacan entrada recorded on Maya monuments.
The discovery of Te K'ab Chaak's tomb is the first identifiable royal tomb found at Caracol in over four decades of research. It offers new perspectives on the origins of Maya dynastic rule and the city's role in the broader Mesoamerican world.
Further research, including DNA and isotope testing, is planned to provide additional insights into Te K'ab Chaak's life and the early history of Caracol. The findings are expected to be presented at a conference on Maya–Teotihuacan interaction hosted by the Maya Working Group at the Santa Fe Institute in August 2025.