Archaeologists from Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) have uncovered a remarkable artifact at House C, part of the palace complex established by the legendary Pakal the Great in the Archaeological Zone of Palenque, Chiapas. They found a nose ornament made from a human distal tibia, elaborately engraved with imagery representing communication with deities and ancestors.

This unique nose ornament is the first of its kind discovered in Palenque, symbolizing an adornment worn by rulers and priests during rites that involved the embodiment of K’awiil, the Mayan god associated with maize and fertility. The Maya frequently depicted K’awiil in ceremonies linked to royal inaugurations and the promise of everlasting lineage.

The ornament dates back to the Late Classic period (600 to 850 A.D.) in Mesoamerican history and was found within a ritual deposit beneath a stucco floor. The excavation revealed a pit containing clay soil, charcoal remnants, animal bones, obsidian blades, and the human bone nose ornament, underscoring the ceremonial importance of this location.