Mayan Inscriptions Discovered In Guatemala

Archaeologists have found an "extraordinary" Mayan frieze richly decorated with images of deities and rulers and a long dedicatory inscription.

The frieze was discovered by Guatemalan archaeologist Francisco Estrada-Belli and his team in the northern province of Peten.

"This is an extraordinary finding that occurs only once in the life of an archaeologist," he said. "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 archaeologists were exploring a Mayan pyramid that dates to 600 AD in an area that is home to other classic ruin sites when they came upon the frieze.

The high-relief stucco sculpture, which measures 26ft by 6ft (8m by 2m), includes three main characters wearing rich ornaments of quetzal feathers and jade sitting on the heads of monsters.

The frieze, which was found in July, depicts the image of gods and god-like rulers and gives their names. The dedicatory inscription "opens a window on a very important phase in the history of the classical period," Mr Estrada-Belli said.

The inscription is composed of some 30 glyphs in a band that runs at the base of the structure, while the text was deciphered by Alex Tokovinine, an epigraphist at Harvard University and contributor to the research project at Holmul, the site where the frieze was found.

Mr Tokovinine said the building was commissioned by Ajwosaj, king of the neighbouring city-state of Naranjo, and vassal of the powerful Kaanul dynasty. David Stuart, an expert in Mayan epigraphy at the University of Texas at Austin, called Mr Tokovinine's reading of the text "excellent".

But while the government statement called it "the most spectacular frieze seen to date," Mr Stuart was cautious about using superlatives.

"It's really impressive," he said. "But I certainly wouldn't say this is the 'most spectacular' temple facade."

Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina presented the National Geographic Society with the Order of the Quetzal, Guatemala's highest award, for their research on the Mayan civilization.

Perez Molina thanked National Geographic for its support and said the society has "put on high the cultural heritage of the Mayan civilization".

Mr Estrada-Belli is a National Geographic Explorer. His excavations at Holmul were supported by the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Guatemala and funded by the National Geographic Society and other Guatemalan and foreign institutions.