Tikal Burial 196 Tomb of the Jade Jaguar - Maya Archaeology

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other two plaques, this one had only a single conical perfo-
ration through from the plain side.
Next to the west side of the plaque was a pair of handle-less
“tweezers” (see p. 205).
Largest Pyrite Mosaic Plaque Plan #45 117A-96
Lying next to the south wall of the tomb was a pyrite
mosaic plaque of the unusually large diameter of 34 cm. with
stucco on the underside. When it was found its mammoth size
suggested that its underside might be either carved or stuccoed
and painted--this was the usual practice on other large
plaques. As the only way to remove the plaque was to pick it
up the author waited until everything had been removed from
the tomb and then cautiously pried up one side (the disintegrated
pyrite had somewhat cemented the plaque to the floor
and it is fortunate that it did not break when the attempt
was made to lift it). At once, painted stucco was visible
and also the fact that some of the painted stucco had become
cemented to the floor. As the excavator did not want to risk
further disturbance, the plaque was left in the tomb until
the arrival of the Project Director who suggested that the
plaque be brought to the lab on the floor. So, a workman set
to work to cut out a section of the floor and a large chunk of
the floor was pried up, with the plaque still on it. Then, because
a Jeep ride to the lab would be too bouncy, a litter