Deep within the Petén Basin of Guatemala, researchers using ground-penetrating radar have uncovered a cache of 1,200-year-old ceremonial drum fragments at a Maya administrative center. The artifacts, which show evidence of being originally wrapped in jaguar-skin and adorned with cinnabar, are believed to be the primary instruments for the Festival of the Pax, a month-long observance dedicated to the deity of war and ritual rhythm.
The discovery is significant because it highlights the crucial role of soundscapes in ancient Maya festivals. The excavation site also yielded specialized copper bells and bone rasps, suggesting that the festival involved complex orchestral performances designed to "awaken" the deities before the onset of the seasonal rains and agricultural planting cycles.