Archaeologists working in Guatemala City found a rather extraordinary Mayan frieze described as richly decorated with sculptures of rulers and gods. It also has an inscription, say Guatemalan authorities Wednesday.
Francisco Estrada-Belli, an archeaologist from Guatemala and a faculty member of the Anthropology Department in Tulane University, found the frieze with his team in the northern part of the country.
"This is an extraordinary finding that occurs only once in the life of an archaeologist," he said.
The team went to Peten province to explore one of the Mayan pyramids dating back to 600 AD. The place is also home to other ruins. During their exploration, Estrada-Belli's team stumbled upon the frieze. Estrada-Belli said in an interview with CNN, "It's a great work of art that also gives us a lot of information on the role and significance of the building, which was the focus of our research."
The relief is 26 feet by 6 feet or 8 meters by 2 meters and includes deities wearing jade and feathers. The three main characters, according to CNN, are sitting on top of monsters.
While the stucco sculpture may look rather odd to regular folk, the depiction of the gods and godlike leaders and the inscription in the sculpture, "opens a window on a very important phase in the history of the classical period" according to the professor.
The inscription is difficult to read, sources say and it was deciphered by Harvard University epigraphist Alex Tokovinine. Tokovinine once worked on another project in the same site where the Mayan frieze was found.
The building, according to the epigraphist, was commissioned by the King Ajwosaj of Naranjo.
The Guatemalan government called the frieze, "the most spectacular frieze seen to date."
Mayan epigraphy expert David Stuart said in a statement however that while the frieze is impressive, "I certainly wouldn't say this is the most spectacular temple façade."
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