Mar 19, 2021 08:00:00

Archaeological excavations reveal the prosperity and downfall of elite diplomats of the Maya civilization

It was believed that a person who was active as a diplomat in the Maya region around 726 AD was promised a certain degree of happiness because he was in a high position. However, new research suggests that even high-ranking diplomats sometimes lived spectacular lives.

The Life Course of a Standard-Bearer: A Nonroyal Elite Burial at the Maya Archaeological Site of El Palmar, Mexico | Latin American Antiquity | Cambridge Core
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/latin-american-antiquity/article/abs/life-course-of-a-standardbearer-a-nonroyal-elite-burial-at-the-maya-archaeological- site-of-el-palmar-mexico / 727E3FEDE7A0FE6CD698E139FA2F54B7

A Maya ambassador's grave reveals his surprisingly difficult life | Ars Technica
https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/03/a-maya-ambassadors-grave-reveals-his-surprisingly-difficult-life/

Political nature of the square-an example of the ancient Mayan city of El Palmar-
(PDF file) http://jssaa.rwx.jp/kondankai_east005_shouroku_modified.pdf

Jessica Selezo Roma of the University of Oklahoma and Kenichiro Tsukamoto of the University of California, Riverside have discovered the bones of a man who appears to have died between the ages of 30 and 50 from a temple in the Mexican city ruins of El Palmar. .. From the inscriptions dug on the stairs of the temple, this man was identified as Afupachiwar, a descendant of an official with the title of Lacam (bearer). Further research from an osteological and archaeological point of view reveals that Afpachiwar was living a difficult life.

Afpachiwar took over his father's position as the standard-bearer of King El Palmar and was on a diplomatic mission. The upper anterior teeth of Afpachiwar were inlaid with jade and pyrite , which was a common symbol of high-ranking figures in the Mayan civilization.

Then, on September 13, 726 AD, Ahu Pachi Whirl had an audience with the king of the city 'Copan ', which existed near the present Honduras, more than 500 km away from El Palmar, and diplomatic relations were established between the two cities. I built it up. It was believed that the creation of an inscription staircase to commemorate diplomacy solidified the status of Afpati Whirl.

But its glory did not last long. A few years after the establishment of diplomatic relations, rival dynasties are believed to have abdicated King El Palmar and King Copan, political turmoil struck the surrounding area, and political instability caused a recession in El Palmar. That thing.

When Jessica and his colleagues excavated the tomb of Ahu Pachi Whirl, only two decorated pottery were buried, even though it was the tomb of a person who should have been buried with jewelry and other burial goods. From that, he was surprised at the simplicity of the grave. From this, Jessica et al. Judge that the latter half of Afpachi Whirl was never rich.

Furthermore, when the bones of Afpachi-War were investigated, Afpachi-War had lost some teeth due to periodontal disease, and there were signs of a tumor in the lower jaw. This means that Afpachi Whirl would have spent his last years in constant toothache and could only have eaten soft foods. In addition, Afpachi Whirl lost one tooth inlay, and the hole after the inlay had accumulated plaque and had hardened. From this, it seems that Afpachi Whirl did not even undergo dental surgery.

So it is believed that the life of Ahu Pachi Whirl was once glorious, but not so. Afpachi-War's bones show signs of arthritis on the wrists, right elbows, legs, etc., which is consistent with the symptoms expected when walking hundreds of kilometers on undulating terrain with a flag. It turns out that the former diplomacy was clearly fieldwork-centric, and it seems that Afpachi Whirl was always on a tough mission.

In addition, although Afupachi Whirl was born in a family with a high social status, he has had problems such as malnutrition since childhood. The skull of Afupachi Waal, reaction, which is the body against disease and malnutrition in childhood polo tick Kahonesho seen signs of, the arm generated from deficiency of vitamin C scurvy seen to have been caused by Traces of inflammation have also been found. For this reason, Jessica et al. Believe that life in this era was unstable and difficult for people of all classes.