at a remote rainforest site in Guatemale last Feb., archeologists discovered a royal tomb from the 7th century AD. Amid the ruins of the city Waka, the burial chamber contained the remains of a warrior queen with an intricately carved jade helmet. Amongst only about a dozen tombs of royal Mayan women, she was the first to be found with a battle helmet. Stingray spines on the burial dais suggest this queen led traditionally male sacred ceremonies. Before battle, she would have pierced the spines through her genitals, sacrificing her blood to conjure war gods and strengthen her soldier's weapons.