Overview

• Archaeologists uncovered scorched remains of Maya royalty in a temple-pyramid at Ucanal, Guatemala, indicating a deliberate desecration linked to a political transition.
• The burning, dated between 773 and 881 AD, coincided with the rise of a new leader, Papmalil, marking a significant shift from traditional leadership.
• The remains included high-status items like greenstone and shell beads, suggesting the individuals were of royal descent.
• Despite the typical veneration of royal remains, these were haphazardly deposited and covered with construction fill, underscoring their desecration.
• The discovery sheds light on the political dynamics and social changes in the Maya civilization during a period of decline and transformation.