(Trent University)

For a group of Canadian archaelogists in Belize, the writing really is on the wall—and it’s significant to the study of Mayan history. Trent University archaeologists have found what the name of a once unknown Mayan ruler in North-Central Belize.

The archaeology team, led by Trent professor Dr. Helen R. Haines, discovered markings painted on 5th Century A.D. tomb walls at a Ka’Kabish site. The markings, or hieroglyphs, are believed to indicate the name of an important person or ruler from ancient Mayan times.

If the tomb proves to be that of a ruler it could open up new understanding about the political structure of the area. Prior to the Trent archaeologists’ findings, it was believed that smaller sites like Ka’Kabish were secondary and of little political importance during Mayan times. If a ruler was entombed in Ka’Kabish, it could indicate different power alliances in the . . . → Read More: The Writing’s On the Wall: Trent Team Discovers Previously Unknown Mayan Ruler