Mayan Elite: Why Their Teeth Were Buried in Remote Caves Instead of Graves

Ancient Maya people were buried miles away from their teeth. Now scientists know why

Strange burial was likely an attempt by Maya elites to position themselves as ‘mediators with supernatural forces’

Elite Maya people had teeth placed in a cave far from their tombs

A cave in Belize contains teeth from dozens of important Maya people buried elsewhere, which may attest to a ritual intended to ensure their passage to the underworld

Mayan Elite: Why Their Teeth Were Buried in Remote Caves Instead of Graves

Mayan Ruins of Xunantunich, Belize Michael Robinson/Getty Images The teeth of prominent Mayans were extracted and stored in caves well away from their burial sites. This act may have been a way to venerate ancestors or ensure their safe passage to the underworld. During the Classic period (250-900 CE), Maya civilizations flourished across present-day southern [...] The post Mayan Elite: Why Their Teeth Were Buried in Remote Caves Instead of Grav…