A recent excavation in the Lacandon Jungle of Chiapas has uncovered a subterranean ritual chamber containing dozens of 'resin-coated' terracotta jaguar figurines. Researchers from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) state that the figurines show clear signs of exposure to high-intensity heat, pointing to their role in the ancient 'Fire-Dance' festivals described in colonial-era codices.
The chamber, located beneath a Classic Period plaza, also contained obsidian mirrors and traces of copal incense, further cementing the site's status as a major ceremonial hub. By dating the organic resin used to coat the jaguars, archaeologists have confirmed that these fire rituals were a central part of the Maya agricultural calendar, specifically marking the transition into the planting season and invoking the feline protector spirits of the forest.