The Mayans were a civilisation famous for their mathematics and astronomical beliefs, who date back as far as 2000BC, with many of these constructions still standing in the jungles of southeast Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and western parts of Honduras. One of these is the city of Palenque, which dates from 226BC to 799AD and remained hidden for some 1,000 years, after it absorbed into the jungle of cedar, mahogany and sapodilla trees, following its decline. This astonishing city was rediscovered in 1840 by archaeologist John Lloyd Stevens, but it would take more than a century to uncover its biggest secret, Amazon Prime’s “Secret of Archaeology” revealed.
The 2014 series explained: “At the time of its splendor, Palenque covered an area of over six square miles, with a population of tens of thousands.
“The most important structures date is from the period between 630 and 700AD, when K’in Pacal and his son, Chan Balum, ruled the kingdom.
“The palace, the home of the royal family, was erected in the city centre on a 33-foot-high platform.
“But in reality, it was just a group of various building built one against the other.
“In its own way, though, it was an architectural masterpiece, with cellars chambers and rooms with rather low ceilings, arranged around a courtyard.”
However, it was not until more than 100 years later that researchers hit the jackpot.
The series added: “In 1952, archaeologist Alberto Ruiz made an incredible discovery inside, a deep passage, or king of the tunnel that penetrated the pyramid.
“The tunnel had been blocked for centuries by tonnes of earth and stones, so the descent into the depths of the structure was difficult and dangerous.
“After months of digging, Alberto Ruiz descended the entire length of the tunnel, he reached an underground room where he discovered a great sarcophagus containing the tomb of King K’in Pacal who lived at Palenque in 700AD.
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“It was one of the most important discoveries of modern archaeological science and of paramount importance for learning about Maya civilisation.”
The series went on to explain why the discovery was so huge.
It continued: “Up until then, it was believed that these Maya pyramids were used only for worship and not as burial places.
“The sarcophagus contained the King’s body and the burial kit was very rich and consisted of a diadem, earrings, a pectoral, bracelets, rings and a mask – all made of jade.
“In addition, there were some stucco, perhaps portraits of King Pacal himself.
“On top of the sarcophagus, there was a limestone plate weighing almost eight tonnes, on which a bas-relief had been sculpted many centuries earlier.”
The coffin has baffled experts, though.
The series explained: “Scholars have attempted, in vain, to find the right interpretation of the scene.
“Over the years, the plate has become the object of an enthralling mystery as King Pacal appears seated inside an object or structure that is not easy to identify.
“Some have guessed that the object is an aircraft or even a spaceship as the king is positioned as if he were driving the vehicle with his hands and feet at the controlling levers.
“Behind him, it seems although the nozzles of a jet engine are emitting smoke and flames.”