Guatemalan archeologists unearthed a high-relief stucco sculpture they say is an "extraordinary" finding. A government statement explains how Guatemalan archeologist Francisco Estrada-Belli and his team stumbled upon a richly decorated Mayan frieze in the Northern Province of Peten.  

According to reports, the frieze displays carved images of godlike rulers complete with what seem to be their names and descriptions. The unexpected discovery came about while the archaeologists were exploring a pyramid on the ruin site that dates to 600 AD.

In a story by news.com.au, Estrada-Belli who is also a professor at Tulane University's Anthropology Department said, "This is an extraordinary finding that occurs only once in the life of an archaeologist. It's a great work of art that also gives us a lot of information on the role and significance of the building, which was the focus of our research."

The stone carving measures at eight meters by two meters and displays three characters adorned with rich ornaments. To be able to decipher the inscription, Alex Tokovinine, an expert epigraphist at Harvard University and contributor to the research project at Holmul, was called in to help. The inscription runs at the base of the structure and has about 30 glyphs, according to the report.

According to Tokovinine, the text says, "The building was commissioned by Ajwosaj, king of the neighbouring city-state of Naranjo, and vassal of the powerful Kaanul dynasty."

Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina recognized Estrada-Belli and the National Geographic Society and presented them with the Order of the Quetzal for their achievements and discoveries of the Mayan civilization.