The tomb is one of three recently unearthed in the area. While previous finds at Caracol-such as central Mexican artifacts discovered in 2010-suggested influence from Teotihuacán, these earlier tombs appear to belong to native Maya royalty, predating that contact by a generation.

Found in the ancient city of Caracol, the tomb contained a rare jade mask, ceramics, and jewelry often linked to the Maya ruling class.

More than 40 years after uncovering Caana, the central architectural complex at Caracol, Belize, husband-and-wife archaeologists Arlen and Diane Chase have made a pivotal discovery in their exploration of the ancient ruins of Caracol. The couple and their research team have uncovered the burial tomb of Te K’ab Chaak.