The bones offer a rare glimpse of intentional corpse destruction in Maya culture to commemorate dramatic political change. Typically, Maya societies kept royal remains in accessible spaces where visitors could perform offerings. “Halperin is one of our most gifted field workers,” said Houston, who studies ancient Maya culture but was not involved in the research. Around the start of the ninth century when the remains were burned, carved Maya records described the deeds of a new ruler called Papmalil. Ritual desecration of royal remains by fire wasn’t unknown in Maya culture.

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Persons: adornments, Christina T, Halperin, ” Halperin, “, —, . Halperin, Dr, Stephen Houston, “ Halperin, ”, Houston, ” —, ’, there’s, ” Houston Organizations: CNN, University of Montréal, telltale, Brown University Locations: Guatemala, Providence , Rhode Island, Guatemala City