After more than 40 years of excavations, University of Houston archaeologists and longtime partners Arlen and Diane Chase discovered the tomb of Te K’ab Chaak, the first ruler of the ancient Maya city Caracol in Belize.

Dating to around 331 AD, the tomb reveals early connections between Caracol and the distant Mesoamerican city of Teotihuacan in Mexico, suggesting formal diplomatic ties between the regions.

Te K’ab Chaak’s burial included jewelry, a mosaic mask, and symbolic imagery.

This marks the first identifiable ruler’s tomb found at Caracol in over four decades, Houston Public Media has reported.

The Chases will present their findings at a conference in August.

Written by B.C. Begley