User:Ifonder/The Tomb of the Vulture Lord

The Tomb of the Vulture Lord, whose occupant is also referred to as K'utz Chman in the Mayan language, is a royal tomb at the Maya site of Takalik Abaj in southern Guatemala. K'utz Chman was an ancient Maya ajaw of either the Middle Preclassic or Late Preclassic period whose length of rule is unknown. It is named for the appearance of vulture iconography on items in the tomb.

Location

The tomb is situated at Takalik Ab'aj in an area surrounded by high valleys. In contrast to later tombs covered by large, pyramidal structures, this tomb is more simple. It was near a 4 m high platform of clay and cobblestones.

Discovery

The tomb was discovered in ____ by archaeologists Miguel Orrego and Christina Schieber. Based on the types of artifacts that were found, it was evident that this was not a common tomb, but a royal one. Typically, the more common burials lack evidence for prestigious goods associated with those who had some form of power and were higher up in the social hierarchy. The high status of this tomb was apparent from the value of objects such as jade jewelry and other offerings that accompanied the individual within it.

Studies of Takalik Ab'aj first took place in the 1920s, when it studied by Walter Lehman. Scientific investigation was renewed in 1976 with a project sponsored by the University of California, Berkeley. Due to the way the site is laid out, archaeological excavations were conducted in what is considered an "early Maya urban environment” with at least 83 structures and more than 300 sculpted stone monuments.

Over the course of the last few decades, a national park was established, which allowed a continuation of investigations. These were led by the archaeologists Miguel Orrego and Christa Schieber, who worked with the Instituto de Antropología de Guatemala. It is on account of their research that additional monuments, such as this tomb, were documented.

Description

The tomb of K’utz Chman does not share the same memorable qualities as other Mayan counterparts tend to exhibit, such as sizeable pyramids.

Grave Goods

The tomb contained hundreds of apple-green and blue jadeite beads. One artifact was by far the most remarkable, a pendant with a a vulture’s head in jade lying exactly where the deceased’s chest would have been. It is believed that the individual must have been wearing it when the burial occurred. While the bones had deteriorated, clusters of precious stones showed exactly where he had worn two bracelets, two anklets, and a jade-encrusted loincloth.

Chronology

In light of where the tomb was found, the date of the tomb is not precisely known. It is thought to date either to the end of the Middle Preclassic or to the beginning of the Late Preclassic, or about _____ BC.

Significance

This burial suggests a period in time when there were changes in style and production that represent a transition between the Olmec and Maya cultures.

Both Schieber and Orrego postulate the idea that the Vulture Lord’s tomb is a bridge between the two styles, with the Olmec becoming obsolete during the time of his incumbency. “He was a very rich ruler who still had Olmec traditions,” according to Schieber. “But he was already showing Maya stylistic influences in the things he took to the grave.” For example, while the vulture and the ceramic women look Maya, the jade ornaments on the deceased’s body closely resemble those on a ruler depicted in stone at the Olmec city of La Venta.

As with any culture or time period, there are bound to be conflicts and allegiances among rulers, as well as shifts in ideological beliefs, depending on who is holding power. For this reason, the burial may help explain how a dominant style was changing with the ruler, suggesting that change was led from above.

Vulture Symbolism

Vultures are birds of prey and can sometimes be mistaken for eagles, another prominent figure for the Maya, because they are bald and lack feathers around their head and their legs. The king vulture has skin with an array of colors that include red, blue, purple, orange and yellow. Such colors have a rich hue, and are often integrated into ostentatious displays and regalia. For the people and rulers of the Maya, the king vulture represented an important role in their culture and beliefs. Furthermore, they were an integral part of the iconography and symbolism that was prominent in a variety of Mayan art and features. For instance, the king vulture was a principle bird deity and was associated with rulership.

Vultures are present in scenes of sacrifice, hunting, the ballgame, and other rites, as well as in probable Underworld scenes. Coupled with the fact that they stand on their prey as Maya rulers on their portrait stelae stand on their symbols of power, sending a strong message of authority to observers.