Archaeologists Unearth Tombs at Nim Li Punit

A major discovery has been made at the Mayan site of Nim Li Punit in Toledo where an archaeological dig is in progress.  Professor Geoffrey Braswell, an anthropologist with the Mesoamerican Archaeology Laboratory at the University of California, San Diego is leading the excavation.  According to Doctor Braswell, a pair of burial chambers has recently been unearthed, revealing a total of twenty-six clay pots circa 800 A.D.  Also found during the excavation was a jade ornament, a piece of pectoral jewelry used by Mayan royalty.  The find renews focus on the ancient city, also known as Big Hat, which rose to prominence during the Classic Period.

Geoffrey Braswell

Dr. Geoffrey Braswell, Professor of Anthropology, UC San Diego

“We are currently excavating in the royal palace of the site where the kings and queens of Nim Li Punit lived from about 400 A.D. until after 800 A.D. We’re showing the villagers today two tombs in this palace.  The first dates to the beginning in about 400 A.D. and it has beautiful pots including one that probably comes from Central Mexico from Teotihuacan, north of Mexico City.  This shows connections between the ancient Maya of Toledo District and people a long way away, more than a thousand miles away.  The other discovery that is really exciting is a much later tomb that dates to about 800 A.D. and in it we found twenty-six beautiful pots, the nicest of which is in the visitors’ center in Nim Li Punit, so you can come and see it.  We also found an incredible jade pectoral, a piece of jade that would be worn around the neck of Maya kings for their rituals.”