Jade mask discovered in pyramid tomb of Maya King

Archaeologists have discovered an intact jade mask in the tomb of a Maya King at Chochkitam, in Guatemala. Contemporary inscriptions indicate that Chochkitam was a royal city Recent excavations have led to the discovery of an interlocking jade mask in the burial of a Maya King. Jade masks were generally used to symbolise deities or ancestors, and were used to reflect the wealth and power of the entombed individuals. Following a survey in 2021, archaeologist found that grave robbers had dug a tunnel into the central structure of a royal pyramid. but noted they had missed a specific area within the pyramid’s inner chamber where they discovered a human skull, several teeth and bone pieces, a stone box shaped like a coffin, and funerary offerings including pieces of jade that interlock to form a jade mask when assembled.