Archaeologists working at the Palenque archaeological zone in Mexico have uncovered a previously hidden temple structure beneath a later Maya platform. Dubbed the Temple of the Jaguar King, the site features a stunning hieroglyphic staircase consisting of 42 steps that recount the military triumphs of an early 7th-century ruler.
The temple is notable for its intact stucco masks and a central altar shaped like a reclining feline. This find is expected to provide new insights into the political alliances of the Classic Maya period and the ritual importance of jaguar symbolism in royal funerary architecture.