Archaeologists uncover oldest tomb of Mayan ruler

MEXICO CITY, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Archaeologists announced Thursday they have uncovered one of the oldest royal Mayan tombs.

Experts said the grave, discovered at Guatemala's Tak'alik Ab'aj site, belonged to King K'utz Chman, a priest who is believed to rule around 700 B.C. and be buried some time between 700 and 400 B.C, a time of transition between the Olmec and early Mayan cultures, or the "the dawn of the Mayan era."

The ancient tomb could shed light on the formation of the Mayan civilization, making it "the biggest archeological discovery of 2012," experts said.

The king's burial site features sophisticated relics, including six female figurines and a spectacular loincloth carrying the image of a vulture, which was a symbol of power and high economic status.

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