Archaeologists discover Mayan ruler's tomb

Archaeologists in Guatemala say they have uncovered the tomb of a very early Mayan ruler, complete with rich jade jewelry and decoration.

Experts say the find at the Tak'alik Ab'aj temple site could help shed light on the formative years of the Mayan culture.

Miguel Orrego, a government archaeologist, said carbon-dating indicates the tomb was built between 700 and 400 BC, several hundred years before the peak of the Mayan classic period.

Orrego says finding the tomb of such a wealthy Mayan ruler is even more interesting and unusual given the time period.

He said that the discovery "marks a new step in the understanding of Mesoamerican culture."

This is the oldest tomb found at the Tak'alik Ab'aj temple site and its discovery was a surprise.

"It was not expected. Burial such as these one in Peten (where Mayan ruins in northern Guatemala are located) would not be surprising. But finding them in the southern part of the country along the coast is important. Perhaps it will be the one element that tells us that Mayan culture was present here before other classic Maya areas," Orrego said.

Experts say the rich array of jade articles in the tomb could also provide clues about production and trade patterns.