Bioarchaeological Analysis of a Royal Burial from the Oldest Maya Tomb in Palenque, Mexico

A bioarchaeological analysis of the oldest Maya tomb in Palenque, Mexico, reveals that a royal burial (PAL-44) dates to 250–420 cal AD, predating the first recorded ruler by nearly a century. The tomb contained two skeletons: PAL-44, a young adult male with severe scoliosis and red cinnabar pigmentation, likely indicating his high status, while PAL-45, an adult female with signs of childhood malnutrition and multiple traumas, suggests a lower social rank. Radiocarbon dating, X-ray fluorescence, and skeletal analysis were used to uncover these insights, providing new evidence for early Maya political organization and health conditions.

Couoh, L. R. (2013). Bioarchaeological Analysis of a Royal Burial from the Oldest Maya Tomb in Palenque, Mexico. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 25(5), 711–721. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/oa.2338