1,100-year-old nose ornament found in Mexico had special purpose, experts say. See it [View all]

BY MOIRA RITTER AUGUST 31, 2023 2:06 PM

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The bone nose ring was unearthed from the Archaeological Zone of Palenque in Chiapas, Mexico, according to officials. CARLOS VARELA SCHERRER INAH More than a thousand years ago, a priest in Mexico donned a bone nose ornament and conducted a ceremony in honor of K’awiil, the Mayan god associated with maize and fertility. At least that’s what experts believe happened after they discovered a nose ring made from human bone at the Archaeological Zone of Palenque in Chiapas, according to an Aug. 29 news release from Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History. It’s the first find of its kind from the site.

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The ornament was made from human bone, archaeologists said. Carlos Varela Scherrer INAH Experts described the artifact as “una nariguera,” which translates to a nose ring in English. However, photos of the object show that it was more like an ornament that sat atop the wearer’s nose. The 2.5-inch-long and 2-inch-wide adornment is made of a human tibia (leg) bone, archaeologists said. It was likely used by elites, specifically rulers and priests, in attempts to personify their god, K’awiil.

Experts said the bone artifact is engraved with a depiction of a man in a headdress and ornate jewelry. His left arm has the Mayan glyph “ak’ab’,” which means darkness or night. He is holding a long thin object, and beneath him is a human skull and long bones placed on a bundle of cloth.

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The bone ornament was worn atop the nose in an attempt to personify the Mayan deity, K’awiil, experts said. Carlos Varela Scherrer INAH

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