Massacre of the Mayans

Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of a 1,200-year-old massacre in Guatemala that could provide clues to one of the enduring mysteries of central American history - the precipitous collapse of the once glorious Maya civilisation.

The team spent the summer excavating ruins of the ancient city of Cancuen in central Guatemala and dug up at least 45 skeletons belonging to members of the Mayan royal court who appear to have been ritually slaughtered by an as-yet unknown horde of assailants.

Among the bones were those of the Mayan king Kan Maax and his wife, identified by their jewellery, headdresses and other precious artefacts. At least a dozen others showed signs of having been ritually dismembered and thrown into sacred spring waters - presumably as a way of wiping out both the leadership of Cancuen and the city itself.

Posted by David on November 17, 2005 8:36 PM