Slaughtered royals clue to 1200-year-old Maya puzzle

Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of a 1200-year-old massacre in the ancient city of Cancuen in central Guatemala that could solve the major mystery of the sudden collapse of the once glorious Maya civilisation in Central America.

The team found 45 skeletons of members of the royal court who appear to have been ritually slaughtered by a horde of assailants.

Among the skeletons were those of the Maya king Kan Maax and his wife, identified by their jewellery and elaborate headdresses.