Jade Bead Necklace
Classic Maya rulers and nobles wore necklaces and collars of drilled jadeite beads, the green stone valued above all others in the Maya world and linked with rain, water, maize, the world centre and the breath of life. Royal portraits on stelae show long bead necklaces draped over the chest, often layered with earflare assemblies and bracelets of the same material. The richest evidence comes from tombs: the burial of K'inich Janaab' Pakal at Palenque held hundreds of beads and jade plaques, and the burial of the Red Queen of Palenque was accompanied by masses of jade beadwork. Jadeite itself w