In a groundbreaking discovery decades in the making, archaeologists have unearthed the tomb of Te K’ab Chaak, the first known ruler of the ancient Maya city of Caracol in Belize. The historic find was made by Dr. Arlen and Dr. Diane Chase of the University of Houston, who have led the Caracol Archaeological Project for over 40 years in partnership with Belize’s Institute of Archaeology.

Te K’ab Chaak, whose name translates to “Tree Branch Rain God,” is now confirmed as the founder of Caracol’s royal dynasty. His tomb was located within a towering structure named Caana—meaning “Sky Place” in Maya—standing 141 feet tall and among the largest buildings ever constructed by the Maya.

“This is one of our most important finds,” said Dr. Diane Chase. “We’ve found many royal tombs before, but this is the first clearly linked to a dynastic ruler through hieroglyphic records.”

Dating back to around AD 350, the tomb contained stunning artifacts, including jade death masks, intricately carved bones, clay pots, and depictions of Mayan gods and prisoners. One pot featured Ek Chuah, the Maya god of trade, surrounded by offerings. Researchers noted that the ruler was elderly at the time of his death, having lost all his teeth.

Caracol, once one of the most powerful Maya cities, dates back to 900 BC and thrived until the broader collapse of the civilization around AD 800–900. This discovery marks the third major tomb unearthed from the same period, following earlier finds in 2009 and subsequent digs that revealed additional elite burials and trade links with central Mexico.

The tomb of Te K’ab Chaak not only sheds light on the city’s early leadership but also deepens our understanding of Maya dynasties, trade, and cultural influence in ancient Mesoamerica.