Extremely rare jade pendant of the Mayan King discovered
Archaeologists discover ancient jade pendant of Mayan King 1,390 years ago.
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In 2015, an excavation in Min Pi Punit, Belize was conducted by UC San Diego archaeologist Geoffrey Braswell. Recently, this same archaeologist made a publication about the meaning of the pendant and the life of the ancient Maya.
This is the second largest jade pendant found in Belize with ancient inscriptions, about 17.7cm wide, 10.4cm thick with a 0.76cm thread. "We are looking forward to the magic of the Mayan story behind this pendant," Braswell said.
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Archaeologists discover ancient jade pendant of Mayan king 1,390 years ago. |
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In 2015, Braswell and his colleagues excavated a palace built around the year 400. Inside the tomb, archaeologists discovered ceramic jars, large stones, and a jade pendant that may have been used for the first time in a ritual to bring wind and rain, considered a sacred Mayan tradition.
The pendant is engraved with the symbol “ik,” which researchers believe stands for “wind and breath.” The inscription on the jade suggests that the artifact was likely used in a ceremony in 672. According to Braswell, the pendant may have been a sacred object buried as an offering to the Wind God.
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The pendant is engraved with the symbol "ik," which researchers believe stands for "wind and breath." (Photo: UC San Diego Publications). |
"When the Maya dynasty collapsed, climate change such as drought led to the abandonment of the Maya civilization. The rains came more frequently and reminded us of the dangers of climate change," said Braswell.
Scientists revealed that the writing on the jade surface is written in the common Mayan characters, which is the oldest writing discovered in the area. However, they still need time to understand the mysterious story behind the precious jade.
According to Khoahoc.tv
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