Archaeologists unearth rare 7th century mask showing Mayan ruler in his old age

Archaeologists have discovered an ancient stucco mask thought to depict the face of the Mayan ruler ‘Pacal the Great.’

The remarkable 7th century artifact is unlike most such treasures as it represents the king in his old age, with visible wrinkle lines.

Pacal ruled from the time he was just 12 years old, until his death at the age of 80.

Researchers unearthed the mask during excavations at the Palenque archaeological site in the Mexican jungle.

The 20-centimeter (7.8 inch) stucco mask was found by a team with the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) during an investigation of the temple’s ancient drainage system.

Palenque sits in the southern state of Chiapas, on the border of Guatemala.

According to Institute Director Diego Prieto, the mask appears to show the face of K'inich Janaab' Pakal – also known as Pacal the Great.

If it is, in fact, Pacal, the experts say it would be the first of its kind.

The mask includes wrinkle lines around the mouth and cheeks, which would make it ‘the first representation we have of an old Pacal,’ Arnoldo González Cruz from INAH said.