Science

Stash of hundreds of human teeth reveal surprising Maya burial practice

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Briefings

Recent analysis of ancient human teeth from a cave site in Guatemala suggests a Maya elite burial practice involving the storage of hundreds of teeth. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about how high-status individuals were interred, offering new insights into their social organization and consumption patterns. The study links these dental remains to distant elite tombs, indicating a complex exchange system rather than simple local consumption.

Key points

• Ancient DNA analysis of human teeth from a cave in Guatemala connects them to people buried in faraway elite tombs.
• The study suggests a Maya elite burial practice involving the storage of hundreds of teeth, challenging previous assumptions about interment methods.

Context

This research provides new evidence regarding Maya elite burial practices, specifically regarding the storage of human teeth. It challenges previous assumptions about how high-status individuals were interred and offers insights into their social organization and consumption patterns.

Limitations

The evidence is limited to a single cave site in Guatemala. The study relies on ancient DNA analysis of human teeth, which may not represent the entire population. The findings are preliminary and subject to further verification.

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