Archaeologists unearth stunning Maya murals and reliefs at Dzibanché

by Dario Radley, October 31, 2024

Archaeologists with Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) at the ancient Maya city of Dzibanché have unearthed three stucco reliefs that depict scenes of the powerful Kaanu’l (or Snake) dynasty. Located in Quintana Roo, Mexico, Dzibanché—an early center for the Maya civilization dating back to 300 BCE—served as the initial stronghold of the Kaanu’l rulers, who later expanded their influence to vast regions in present-day Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala.

An archaeologist cleans facade with reliefs found at Dzibanche, Mexico. Credit: INAH

The new findings, which date to the Early Classic period (500-600 CE), were discovered on two platforms west of the site’s Ball Game II court, a ceremonial space for the Maya ballgame, an activity combining athleticism and ritual devotion. These platforms, each approximately 10 by 5 feet, display the first stucco reliefs ever uncovered on Dzibanché’s ballcourt, which archaeologists believe were meant to reinforce the dynasty’s authority.

Sandra Balanzario Granados, head of the INAH’s Archaeological Site Improvement Program (Promeza) at Dzibanché, described the discovery as a breakthrough: “Although we had found stucco reliefs on larger buildings, we would never have thought of finding such decorated façades on a ball court with such profound meanings as these ones apparently have,” she explained.

Each of the three relief scenes offers a glimpse into the mythological and celestial beliefs of the Kaanu’l dynasty. The first relief features two figures standing guard beside a pedestal, originally intended to support a sculpture, with symbols referencing a Kaanu’l ruler. The second scene depicts ancestral figures in a cosmic setting, surrounded by stars and intertwining serpents—motifs that reflect the Kaanu’l’s divine connection as rulers.

Relief depicting enthroned figure. Credit: INAH

Epigrapher Alexander Tokovinine noted the striking blend of Maya and Teotihuacán iconography, particularly the serpent symbolism, which underscored the dynasty’s claim to a godly lineage. The third panel portrays a series of mythological animals linked to constellations, further emphasizing the rulers’ divine right and their cosmological power.