INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
experts have found a royal burial directly linked to a named leader.The discovery, made in the Northeast Acropolis, dates to around 350 AD
Chaak alongside a mosaic jadeite mask, jade jewelry, carved bone tubes, eleven pottery vessels, and Pacific spondylus shells.Some pottery
depicted Maya rulers and the god Ek Chuah, who represented trade and commerce
(Photo Internet reproduction)The goods inside the tomb, especially the obsidian blades and atlatl points from central Mexico, point to
direct links with Teotihuacan, a major city located over 1,200 kilometers away.This find confirms that Caracol was not a minor outpost but a
major commercial and political force in the Maya world
At its height, Caracol covered about 177 square kilometers and supported over 100,000 people, making it one of the largest cities in ancient
The presence of Pacific shells and Mexican obsidian suggests that Caracol participated in long-distance trade networks.These exchanges
likely helped the city gain access to resources and maintain its influence over rivals
depended on both military and economic strength
Historical records show that its rulers defeated rivals such as Tikal and Naranjo, which led to periods of prosperity and monumental
This discovery matters because it challenges old assumptions about the Maya world.It shows that cities like Caracol held power through
trade, alliances, and careful management of people and land
provides a model of early statecraft that relied on commerce as much as conquest
The find also highlights the value of continued archaeological research for understanding the foundations of complex societies.
