00:00What if an ancient king was hiding beneath another tomb for more than 1,600 years?
00:06Archaeologists in Belize discovered a secret chamber beneath the ancient Maya city of Caracol.
00:12Inside was the tomb of Tehqab Chak, believed to be the city's first known ruler.
00:17But the burial was incredible.
00:20Researchers found jade beads, carved bones, seashell jewelry, ritual pottery,
00:24and a jade mosaic mask that once covered the king's face.
00:28For the Maya, jade wasn't just valuable, it represented life, royalty, and eternity.
00:35Even stranger, the king was an elderly man who had lost his teeth.
00:40In Maya tradition, toothless elders were connected with spiritual power
00:44and the ability to move between realms.
00:47For more than 16 centuries, his tomb remained completely hidden.
00:52An archaeologist may have only uncovered the beginning of Caracol's secrets.
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