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The king was found lying on his back, adorned with a green jadeite necklace bearing the carved head of a vulture, and ear spools inlaid with obsidian. A jadeite bead the size of a cherry was found in the king's mouth. The green stone was an ancient Maya metaphor for life and breath.

Before the excavation of the vividly painted mural, there was scant evidence of the existence of early Maya kings or of their use of elaborate art and writing to establish their right to rule.

ancient Maya art that reveals the story of creation, the mythology of kingship and the divine right of a king.

A new artistic style It is evident from the art of the Amarna period that the court officially emulated the king's unusual physical characteristics. Thus individuals such as the young princesses are endowed with elongated skulls and excessive adiposity, while Bek-the Chief Sculptor and Master of Works-portrays himself in the likeness of his king with pendulous breasts and protruding stomach. On a stele now in Berlin Bek states that he was taught by His Majesty and that the court sculptors were instructed to represent what they saw. The result is a realism that breaks away from the rigid formality of earlier official depictions, although naturalism is very evident in earlier, unofficial art.