Maya queen's remains found

2012-10-04 17:50

This image shows a ceramic piece found in the royal tomb of Queen K'abel with her funerary regalia, at El Peru-Waka archaeological site in The Lagoon of the Tiger national park in the Mayan biosphere of the Peten department. (Proyecto Arqueologico El

Guatemala City - Archaeologists have found a tomb with the remains of a Mayan queen, buried with treasures like jade jewellery and obsidian knives.

The American archaeologist who made the discovery in the Peten jungle region, David Freidel, said it one of the most important Mayan-related finds made so far.

The grave held gifts such as ceramic vases dating from between the seventh and eighth centuries, as well as sea shells, jade and the shiny black stone knives.

The remains of the woman have been sent to a lab in Guatemala City for DNA tests to be carried out.

Freidel said he has been working in Guatemala, Mexico and Belize for 43 years and this is his biggest find yet, because it involves a queen whose name is known - apparently one named Kalomt'e K'abel.

Freidel has been overseeing excavation work at a site in a national park 600km north of the Guatemalan capital.

- AFP