Archaeologists in Guatemala's Petén Basin have uncovered a cache of 1,200-year-old baskets fused with hardened copal resin. The findings suggest these were used in a rhythmic "smoke-swinging" ceremony, where burning resin was swung in baskets to cleanse the air during the transition into the rainy season. This ritual, now identified by researchers as the Festival of the Amber Breath, appears to have been a state-sponsored event aimed at spiritual and environmental purification.
The preservation of the plant fibers within the resin provides unique data on Maya weaving techniques and ceremonial plant use. According to the research team, the Copal-Fused baskets were likely discarded in a single event, indicating a massive communal ritual that involved hundreds of participants. This discovery adds a new sensory dimension to our understanding of ancient Maya festivals, focusing on the olfactory and visual impact of dense, scented smoke clouds.