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New Tomb May Explain Mayans' Downfall

Archaeologists say clues point to rise of the Toltec culture

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 28, 2010 7:25 AM CST
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(Newser) – A newly discovered tomb from the twilight of the Mayans may offer clues as to why their civilization collapsed, Mexican archeologists say. Artifacts from the tomb are from the Toltec culture, suggesting that it was their rise instead of internal feuding or environmental degradation that doomed Mayan culture, the overseer of the archeological site in Chiapas province tells AP.

The 1,100-year-old tomb was found at the foot of a jungle-clad temple during maintenance work and contains the bones of what archeologists believe is a woman. The culture she belonged to is unclear. Experts not involved with the dig caution against drawing too many conclusions from one site. "One tomb, even if it is very fancy, isn't going to answer big things about the trajectory of Maya history all over the place," says a University of Texas Mayan specialist.

A ceramic head found in a newly discovered tomb sits on display at the Mayan Tonina archeological site near Ocosingo village in Mexico's Chiapas state.
A ceramic head found in a newly discovered tomb sits on display at the Mayan Tonina archeological site near Ocosingo village in Mexico's Chiapas state.   (AP Photo/Miguel Tovar)
Ceramic heads found in a newly discovered tomb sit on display at the Mayan Tonina archeological site near Ocosingo village in Mexico's Chiapas state.
Ceramic heads found in a newly discovered tomb sit on display at the Mayan Tonina archeological site near Ocosingo village in Mexico's Chiapas state.   (AP Photo/Miguel Tovar)
Skeletal remains and an artifact sit in a newly discovered tomb at the Mayan Tonina archeological site near Ocosingo village in Mexico's Chiapas state.
Skeletal remains and an artifact sit in a newly discovered tomb at the Mayan Tonina archeological site near Ocosingo village in Mexico's Chiapas state.   (AP Photo/Miguel Tovar)
A man rests at the Mayan Tonina archeological site where a newly discovered tomb is seen, bottom, near Ocosingo village in Mexico's Chiapas state.
A man rests at the Mayan Tonina archeological site where a newly discovered tomb is seen, bottom, near Ocosingo village in Mexico's Chiapas state.   (AP Photo/Miguel Tovar)
Archaeologists clear stones in a newly discovered tomb at the Mayan Tonina archeological site near Ocosingo village in Mexico's Chiapas state.
Archaeologists clear stones in a newly discovered tomb at the Mayan Tonina archeological site near Ocosingo village in Mexico's Chiapas state.   (AP Photo/Miguel Tovar)
A man sits at the Mayan Tonina archeological site near Ocosingo village in Mexico's Chiapas state.
A man sits at the Mayan Tonina archeological site near Ocosingo village in Mexico's Chiapas state.   (AP Photo/Miguel Tovar)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 13 comments
riffran
Jan 29, 2010 7:03 AM CST
I think it's funny how a civilization that died out long before the U.S.A . existed is done in by OUR biased political views.....(sarc)
Mr_Joshua
Jan 29, 2010 5:38 AM CST
Who cares if he comes back. No one will believe its him anyway. He will be put in a rubber room and lobotomized along with all the other Jesuses. And you can call me...Mr Joshua
schmidtkoff
Jan 29, 2010 4:50 AM CST
the mystery of all of the ruins of mexico are as facinating, if not more so than the ruins in egypt. i haven't been to tonia - but the ruins in palenque in chiapas state are very humbling and seeped in mystery. many within the jungle are still un-excacated. the ruins in oaxaca - monte alban are also intriguing. that the entire top of the mountain was leveled defies comprehension. i'm planning another trip to ruins throughout mexico, and possibly across the river to the ruins of tikal. i would highly recommend to anyone a visit to these ruins. a very humbling experience.

 
archaeology • Mexico • Mayan • Mayans

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