1994 Pemex and INAH, Calakmul jade mask - rescue of the mayan cultural heritage -

1994 Pemex and INAH, Calakmul jade mask - rescue of the mayan cultural heritage -

Campeche 1994

Size 25 x 25 x 10 cm

CALAKMUL MASK

First discovered in 1984, the jade mask was part of the offerings left in the richest burial area in Calakmul, dedicated to King Yuknoom Yich’aak K’ak’, the last Mayan warrior king.

It was one of a set of 10 found in the tomb, along with other offerings that included jade ear ornaments, shell and bone beads, spiny oyster shells, eccentric obsidian blades, fine ceramics and the remains of wooden objects.

The burial of the king has been dated to the eighth century AD, and the presence of jade items has allowed archaeologists to theorize about the trading relationships the people had at that time.

The well-traveled mask is to be permanently displayed in the Museum of Mayan Architecture, housed in the Baluarte de la Soledad, an 18th-century fortification and the most important on the four gateways of the walled city of Campeche, called Puerta de Mar.