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And So It Begins

This Might Not End Well: Tomb of Mayan Warrior Queen Uncovered by Band of Hapless Archaeologists

by Rebecca Pahle | 10:57 am, October 4th, 2012


Batten down the hatches: The Mayan apocalypse is on its way, and it’s not because of any calendar. Archaeologists excavating the ancient Mayan city of El Perú-Waka’ in Guatemala have unearthed the tomb of the warrior queen Lady K’abel, considered the greatest ruler of the Late Classic period and also known by the epithet—wait for it—Maya Holy Snake Lord.

Putting aside the fact that the spirit of Lady K’abel will rise from the Earth to punish the world that allowed her final resting place to be disturbed (that’s how these things go, right?), it’s actually really cool news. K’abel ruled with her husband, K’inich Bahlam, for at least twenty years during the seventh century. But she actually had more authority than K’inich Bahlam; she was the military governor of the Wak kingdom on behalf of her family (the imperial house of the Snake King, because of course) and carried the title “Kaloomte.” It sounds silly but translates to “Supreme Warrior,” so you’d better not make fun of it when she rises forth with a snake in each hand to shed the blood of those who have wronged her.

An interesting little tidbit: The archaeological team, led by David Freidel, wasn’t even looking for the final resting place of Lady K’abel. Instead, their excavations were focused on “ritually-charged” features like shrines and altars. Several decades after the fall of the dynasty at El Perú, the temple still received much reverence and ritual attention—probably, as it turns out, because K’abel was buried there. Their discovery of the tomb, which contained a small, alabaster jar (pictured) carved with K’abel’s likeness, several other pieces of ceramic, and actual remains, was, says Freidel, “serendipitous, to put it mildly.”

Enjoy your luck while it lasts, David. You’ve seen The Mummy, right?

(via: Jezebel)

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  • http://sharqubus.tumblr.com George Trello

    Am I the only one that read “Kaloomte” and heard “Khaleesi”?

  • http://zadl.org/ Captain ZADL

    It’s OK, they still won’t know how to use wheels ;)

  • Graymalking

    Mayan Warrior Queen sounds just as amazing as 1910′s Parisian Investigative Journalist Woman Flying On Top Of A Pterodactyl. #swidt

  • Anonymous

    This explains everything happening in Wapsi Square.

  • http://twitter.com/nachtritter Duke Fleed

    Someone likes their Adèle Blanc-Sec, I see.

  • http://www.facebook.com/craig.oxbrow Craig Oxbrow

    I got “calamity”. That isn’t much better.

  • http://twitter.com/XandraDust Alexis the Unicorn

    Que Warner bros buying up the rights to make a Mayan version of The Mummy based on this now.

  • Life Lessons

    Cool.

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