Stunning Maya Carving Reveals Fight for Political Control Centuries Ago

Archaeologists have uncovered a first-of-its-kind Maya carving tucked inside a pyramid in Guatemala so well preserved that many of its colors remain.

"It is one of the most fabulous things I have ever seen," archaeologist Francisco Estrada-Belli of the Holmul Archaeological Project said, as according to USA Today, explaining that the reason it was so well preserved is because the dirt surrounding it was nicely compacted before later inhabitants built a pyramid over it during the 8th century.

The stucco frieze, located on one side of a staircase tomb, depicts three human figure wearing elaborate headdresses and seated cross-legged over the head of a mountain spirit. Two feathered serpents emerge from the mountain spirit beneath the central character, framing two gods who hold signs reading "First Tamale."

Meanwhile, glyphs located at the bottom of the frieze say the edifice was commissioned by the powerful ruler of a kingdom south of Holmul named Naranjo.

This discovery, says Estrada-Belli, "fills a nice void" in regards to the story of power struggles that went on in the area centuries ago.

According to Alex Tokovinine, the Harvard specialist who deciphered the inscription, the text suggests that the building and the frieze were erected sometime around the year 590 AD, less than 30 years after the ancient kingdom of Tikal suffered a major defeat. As a result of this loss, the next 200 years were defined by dominance by the Kaanul kingdom and their allies, records show.

"Sometimes the Kaanul kings were on top," Estrada-Belli told NBC News. "Sometimes Tikal was on top. But there was nothing chaotic about it."

Tokovinine further explained that the inscription suggests that the local ruler, known as Ajwosaj, was looking to re-establish the local political and religious order after Holmul passed from Tikal to Kaanul control.

"He's doing some kind reorganization, not only for this site, but the region surrounding the site," Tokovinine said, according to NBC News. "It shows the complexity of the Classic Maya political and religious world."