Ancient tomb discovered in Mexico

[Judi Lynn]

Ancient tomb discovered in Mexico
BY THOMAS H. MAUGH II - Los Angeles Times

U.S. and Mexican archaeologists have discovered one of the oldest tombs in Mesoamerica, a burial chamber from at least 2,500 years ago in the state of Chiapas that contains the remains of what appears to be one of the first powerful rulers of the Zoque people.

"There certainly isn't any tomb that is earlier ... and this is the only one found at the very crest of a pyramid, which makes the find rather special," said archaeologist Bruce Bachand of Brigham Young University, one of the tomb's discoverers.

The tomb "is by far the most elaborate" of those from the period, he added, and is the only one that has been found to contain human remains. Because of acidic soil in the region and high humidity, remains tend to decompose relatively rapidly.

The find was announced May 17. It sheds light on the origins of the Zoque, who are generally thought to be descended from the Olmec culture, which was centered to the west.

More:
http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/05/31/508357/ancient-tomb-discovered-in-mexico.html#ixzz0pUIwegAF