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.

Archaeologists have discovered the tomb of the Maya king who founded the city of Caracol in what is now Belize.