Movatterモバイル変換


[0]ホーム

URL:


Jump to content
WikipediaThe Free Encyclopedia
Search

Maya stelae

Featured article
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Carved stone slabs made by the Pre-Columbian Maya
A relief sculpture showing a richly dressed human figure facing to the left with legs slightly spread. The arms are bent at the elbow with hands raised to chest height. Short vertical columns of hieroglyphs are positioned either side of the head, with another column at bottom left.
Stela 51 from Calakmul, dating to 731, is the best preserved monument from the city. It depicts the kingYuknoom Tookʼ Kʼawiil.[1]
Intricately carved free standing stone shaft sculpted in the three-dimensional form of a richly dressed human figure, standing in an open grassy area.
Stela H, a high-relief in-the-round sculpture fromCopán inHonduras

Maya stelae (singularstela) are monuments that were fashioned by theMaya civilization of ancientMesoamerica. They consist of tall, sculpted stone shafts and are often associated with low circular stones referred to as altars, although their actual function is uncertain.[2] Manystelae were sculpted in lowrelief,[3] although plain monuments are found throughout the Maya region.[4] The sculpting of these monuments spread throughout the Maya area during theClassic Period (250-900 AD),[2] and these pairings of sculpted stelae and circular altars are considered a hallmark of Classic Maya civilization.[5] The earliest dated stela to have been foundin situ in the Maya lowlands was recovered from the great city ofTikal inGuatemala.[6] During the Classic Period almost every Maya kingdom in the southern lowlands raised stelae in its ceremonial centre.[4]

Stelae became closely associated with the concept ofdivine kingship and declined at the same time as this institution. The production of stelae by theMaya had its origin around 400 BC and continued through to the end of the Classic Period, around 900, although some monuments were reused in thePostclassic (c. 900–1521). The major city ofCalakmul inMexico raised the greatest number of stelae known from anyMaya city, at least 166, although they are very poorly preserved.[7]

Hundreds of stelae have been recorded in the Maya region,[8] displaying a wide stylistic variation.[4] Many are upright slabs oflimestone sculpted on one or more faces,[4] with available surfaces sculpted with figures carved in relief and withhieroglyphic text.[3] Stelae in a few sites display a much more three-dimensional appearance where locally available stone permits, such as atCopán andToniná.[4] Plain stelae do not appear to have been painted nor overlaid withstucco decoration,[9] but most Maya stelae were probably brightly painted in red, yellow, black, blue and other colours.[10]

Stelae were essentially stonebanners raised to glorify the king and record his deeds,[11] although the earliest examples depictmythological scenes.[12] Imagery developed throughout the Classic Period, with Early Classic stelae (c. 250–600) displaying non-Maya characteristics from the 4th century onwards, with the introduction of imagery linked to the central Mexican metropolis ofTeotihuacan.[13] This influence receded in the 5th century although some minor Teotihuacan references continued to be used.[14] In the late 5th century,Maya kings began to use stelae to mark the end ofcalendrical cycles.[15] In the Late Classic (c. 600–900), imagery linked to theMesoamerican ballgame was introduced, once again displaying influence from central Mexico.[16] By theTerminal Classic, the institution of divine kingship declined, and Maya kings began to be depicted with their subordinate lords.[17] As the Classic Period came to an end, stelae ceased to be erected, with the last known examples being raised in 909–910.[18]

Intricately carved portrait of a human face looking to the right, seen almost in profile against a background of trees. The face is surrounded by highly ornate interlocking designs.
Detail of Stela B, a high relief sculpture from Copán depicting the kingUaxaclajuun Ubʼaah Kʼawiil[19]

Function

[edit]

The function of the Maya stela was central to theideology ofMaya kingship from the very beginning of the Classic Period through to the very end of the Terminal Classic (800–900).[20] Thehieroglyphic inscriptions on the stelae of the Classic period site ofPiedras Negras played a key part in the decipherment of the script, with stelae being grouped around seven different structures and each group appearing to chart the life of a particular individual, with key dates being celebrated, such as birth, marriage and military victories. From these stelae,epigrapherTatiana Proskouriakoff was able to identify that they contained details of royal rulers and their associates, rather thanpriests andgods as had previously been theorised.[21]

Relief sculpture of an elaborately dressed figure facing right, wearing an intricate headdress and cradling a staff in one arm.
Detail of a stela fromArroyo de Piedra, later reused atDos Pilas[22]

EpigrapherDavid Stuart first proposed that the Maya regarded their stelae aste tun, "stone trees", although he later revised his reading tolakamtun, meaning "banner stone",[23] fromlakam meaning "banner" in severalMayan languages andtun meaning "stone".[24] According to Stuart this may refer to the stelae as stone versions of vertical standards that once stood in prominent places in Maya city centres, as depicted in ancient Mayagraffiti.[24] The name of the modernLacandon Maya is likely to be aColonial corruption of this word.[25]

Maya stelae were often arranged to impress the viewer, forming lines or other arrangements within the ceremonial centre of the city. Maya cities with a history ofstonecarving that extended back into the Early Classic preferred to pair their stelae with a circular altar, which may have represented a cut tree trunk and have been used to performhuman sacrifice, given the prevalence of sacrificial imagery on such monuments.[26] An alternative interpretation of these "altars" is that they were in fact thrones that were used by rulers during ceremonial events.[27] Archaeologists believe that they probably also served as ritual pedestals forincense burners, ceremonial fires and other offerings.[4]

The core purpose of a stela was to glorify the king.[11] Many Maya stelae depict only the king of the city, and describe his actions withhieroglyphic script. Even when the individual depicted is not the king himself, the text or scene usually relates the subject to the king.[28] Openly declaring the importance and power of the king to the community, the stela portrayed his wealth, prestige and ancestry, and depicted him wielding the symbols of military and divine power.[11] Stelae were raised to commemorate important events, especially at the end of akʼatun 20-year cycle of theMaya calendar, or to mark a quarter or a halfkʼatun.[29] The stela did not just mark off a period of time; it has been argued that it physically embodied that period of time.[30] The hieroglyphic texts on the stelae describe how some of the calendrical ceremonies required the king to perform ritualdance andbloodletting.[4] AtTikal, thetwin pyramid groups were built to celebrate thekʼatun ending and reflectedMaya cosmology. These groups possessedpyramids on the east and west sides that represented the birth and death of the sun. On the south side, a nine-doored building was situated in order to represent theunderworld. On the north side was a walled enclosure that represented the celestial region; it was left open to the sky. It was in this celestial enclosure that a stela-altar pair was placed, the altar being a fitting throne for the divine king.[31] Calakmul practised a tradition that was unusual in the Maya area, that of raising twin stelae depicting both the king and his wife.[7]

Theiconography of stelae remained reasonably stable during the Classic Period, since the effectiveness of the propaganda message of the monument relied upon its symbolism being clearly recognisable to the viewer.[11] However, at times a shift in the sociopolitical climate induced a change in iconography.[32] Stelae were an ideal format for public propaganda since, unlike earlierarchitectural sculpture, they were personalised to a specific king, could be arranged in public spaces and were portable, allowing them to be moved and reset in a new location. An important feature of stelae was that they were able to survive different phases of architectural construction, unlike architectural sculpture itself.[33] With the ability to portray an identifiable ruler bearing elite goods, accompanied by hieroglyphic text and carrying out actions in service of the kingdom, stelae became one of the most effective ways of delivering public propaganda in theMaya lowlands.[34] In 7th-centuryCopán, kingChan Imix Kʼawiil raised a series of seven stelae that marked the boundary of the most fertile land in the Copán valley, an area of approximately 25 to 30 square kilometres (9.7 to 11.6 sq mi).[35] As well as marking the boundary, they defined the sacred geometry of the city and referred to important seats of deities in the ceremonial centre of the Copán.[36]

Ritual significance

[edit]
This article is part ofa series on the
Maya civilization
Drawing of a Mayan stone carving with elaborate decoration.
History
Spanish conquest of the Maya

Stelae were considered to be invested with holiness and, perhaps, even to contain a divine soul-like essence that almost made them living beings.[37] Some were apparently given individual names in hieroglyphic texts and were considered to be participants in rituals conducted at their location.[38] Such rituals in the Classic Period appear to have included akʼaltun binding ritual, in which the stela was wrapped in bands of tiedcloth.[39] This ritual was closely tied to thekʼatun-ending calendrical ceremony.[40] Akʼaltun ritual is depicted carved onto apeccary skull deposited as a funerary offering at Copán, the scene shows two nobles flanking a stela-altar pair where the stela seems to have been bound with cloth.[39] The act of wrapping or binding a sacred object was of considerablereligious importance across Mesoamerica, and is well attested among the Maya right up to the present day. The precise meaning of the act is not clear, but may be to protect the bound object or to contain its sacred essence. The binding of stelae may be linked to the modernKʼicheʼ Maya practice of wrapping small divinatory stones in a bundle.[37]

A stela was not just considered a neutral portrait, it was considered to be 'owned' by the subject, whether that subject was a person or a god. Stela 3 from El Zapote in Guatemala is a small monument dating from the Early Classic period, the front of the stela bears a portrait of the rain godYaxhal Chaak, "Clear Water Chaak".[41] The accompanying text describes how the deity Yaxhal Chaak himself was dedicated, not just his image on the stela.[42] This could be taken to imply that the stela was seen as the embodiment of the deity and is also true of those stelae bearing royal portraits, which were seen to be the supernatural embodiment of the ruler they represented.[43] The stela, combined with any accompanying altar, was a perpetual enactment of royal ceremony in stone.[44] David Stuart has stated that stelae "do not simply commemorate past events and royal ceremonies but serve to perpetuate the ritual act into eternity",[30] thus ascribing a magical effectiveness to stela depictions. In the same vein, stelae bearing royal portraits may have been magically loaded extensions of the royal person (uba 'his self'), extremely powerful confirmations of political and religious authority.[45] Stelae bearing images of multiple people, for instance of several nobles performing a ritual or of a king with hiswar captives, were likely to be exceptions to this idea of the stela as sacred embodiment of the subject.[30]

At times, when a new king came to power, old stelae would be respectfully buried and replaced with new ones, or they might be broken.[46] When a Maya city was invaded by a rival, it was pillaged by the victors. One of the most striking archaeological markers of such an invasion is the destruction of the defeated city's stelae, which were broken and cast down.[47] At the end of the Preclassic, around 150 AD, this fate appears to have befallen the important city ofEl Mirador, where most of the stelae were found smashed.[48]

Manufacture

[edit]
A tall plain standing stone behind a cog-shaped flat stone, in a grassy area with a jungle-covered mound rising behind.
A typical stela-altar pairing fromTakalik Abaj, both of them being plain monuments

Royal artisans were sometimes responsible for sculpting stelae; in some cases these sculptors were actually the sons of kings.[49] In other cases it is likely that captive artisans from defeated cities were put to work raising stelae for the victors, as evidenced by the sculptural style of one city appearing upon monuments of its conqueror soon after its defeat. This appears to have been the case in Piedras Negras where Stela 12 depicting war captives submitting to the victorious king is carved in the style ofPomoná, the defeated city. Archaeologists believe that this may also have been the case withQuiriguá after its surprise defeat of its overlord Copán.[50]

Stelae were usually crafted from quarriedlimestone, although in theSouthern Maya area other types of stone were preferred.[51] Volcanictuff was used at Copán to craft their stelae in three dimensions.[52] Both limestone and tuff were easily worked when first quarried and hardened with exposure to the elements.[51] At Quiriguá a hard redsandstone was used that was unable to reproduce the three-dimensionality of Copán but was of sufficient strength that the kings of the city were able to raise the tallest free-standing stone monuments in theAmericas.[52] The Maya lacked beasts of burden and did not employ the wheel;[53] therefore the freshly quarried blocks of stone had to be transported on rollers along theMaya causeways. Evidence of this has been found on the causeways themselves, where rollers have been recovered.[54] The blocks were sculpted to their final form while still soft and they then hardened naturally with time.[10] Stone was usually quarried locally but was occasionally transported over great distances.[52]Calakmul inMexico was one of two powerful cities that shaped the political landscape of the Classic Period, the other being Tikal.[55] It imported blackslate for one stela from theMaya Mountains, more than 320 kilometres (200 mi) away.[52] Although Calakmul raised the greatest number of stelae known from any Maya city, they were sculpted from poor quality limestone and have suffered severe erosion, rendering most of them illegible.[7] Stelae could be of substantial size; Quiriguá Stela E measures 10.6 metres (35 ft) from the base to the top, including the 3-metre (9.8 ft) buried portion holding it in place.[56] This particular monument has a claim to being the largest free-standing stone monument in theNew World and weighs about 59 tonnes (65 short tons).[57] Stela 1 atIxkun is one of the tallest monuments in thePetén Basin, measuring 4.13 metres (13.5 ft) high, not including the buried portion, and is roughly 2 metres (6.6 ft) wide and 0.39 metres (1.3 ft) thick.[58]

Maya stelae were worked with stone chisels and probably with wooden mallets.Hammerstones were fashioned fromflint andbasalt and were used for shaping the softer rocks used to make stelae, while fine detail was completed with smaller chisels. Originally most were probably brightly painted in red, yellow, black, blue and other colours using mineral and organicpigments. At Copán and some other Maya cities, some traces of these pigments were found upon the monuments.[10]

Generally all sides of a stela were sculpted with human figures and hieroglyphic text, with each side forming a part of a single composition.[3] Undecorated stelae in the form of plain slabs or columns of stone are found throughout the Maya region.[4] These appear never to have been painted or to have been decorated with overlaidstucco sculpture.[9]

Dimensions of selected stelae
Site nameLocationMonumentHeightWidthThickness
ItzimtéCampeche, MexicoStela 6[59]1.32 metres (4.3 ft)0.82 metres (2.7 ft)unknown
IxkunPetén Department, GuatemalaStela 1[60]4.13 metres (13.5 ft)[nb 1]2 metres (6.6 ft)0.39 metres (1.3 ft)
IxkunPetén Department, GuatemalaStela 5[61]2.65 metres (8.7 ft)[nb 2]1.00 metre (3.28 ft)0.26 metres (0.85 ft)
KaminaljuyuGuatemala Department, GuatemalaStela 11[62]1.98 metres (6.5 ft)0.68 metres (2.2 ft)0.18 metres (0.59 ft)
MachaquiláPetén Department, GuatemalaStela 2[63]2.1 metres (6.9 ft)1.2 metres (3.9 ft)unknown
NakbéPetén Department, GuatemalaStela 1[64]1.63 metres (5.3 ft)1.55 metres (5.1 ft)0.25 metres (0.82 ft)
Piedras NegrasPetén Department, GuatemalaStela 12[65]3 metres (9.8 ft)1 metre (3.3 ft)0.42 metres (1.4 ft)
QuiriguáIzabal Department, GuatemalaStela E[56]10.6 metres (35 ft)[nb 3]unknownunknown
Takalik AbajRetalhuleu Department, GuatemalaStela 2[66]2.2 metres (7.2 ft)1.43 metres (4.7 ft)unknown
Takalik AbajRetalhuleu Department, GuatemalaStela 5[67]2.11 metres (6.9 ft)1.22 metres (4.0 ft)0.6 metres (2.0 ft)
TikalPetén Department, GuatemalaStela 9[68]2.1 metres (6.9 ft)unknownunknown
TikalPetén Department, GuatemalaStela 29[69]1.33 metres (4.4 ft)[nb 4]unknownunknown
TonináChiapas, MexicoMonument 101[70]1.04 metres (3.4 ft)0.31 metres (1.0 ft)0.2 metres (0.66 ft)

History

[edit]

Preclassic origins

[edit]
An upright stone slab with faint relief sculpture, badly flaked in places.
Stela 1 at El Baúl
An upright stone slab with the front face flat and inscribed with two elaborately dressed figures facing each other, with a double column of hieroglyphs between them.
Stela 5 at Takalik Abaj

The Maya sculptural tradition that produced the stelae emerged fully formed and had probably been preceded by sculpted wooden monuments.[71] However the tradition of raising stelae had its origin elsewhere in Mesoamerica, among theOlmecs of theGulf Coast of Mexico. In the LatePreclassic it then spread into theIsthmus of Tehuantepec and southwards along thePacific Coast to sites such asChiapa de Corzo,Izapa andTakalik Abaj whereMesoamerican Long Count calendar dates began to be carved onto the stelae. Although at Izapa the stelae depicted mythological scenes, at Takalik Abaj they began to show rulers in Early Classic Maya posture accompanied by calendrical dates and hieroglyphic texts. It was also at Takalik Abaj and Izapa that these stelae began to be paired with circular altars.[12] By approximately 400 BC, near the end of the Middle Preclassic Period, early Maya rulers were raising stelae that celebrated their achievements and validated their right to rule.[72] AtEl Portón in theSalamá Valley ofhighland Guatemala a carvedschist stela (Monument 1) was erected, the badly erodedhieroglyphs appear to be a very early form of Maya writing and may even be the earliest known example of Maya script. It was associated with a plain altar in a typical stela-altar pairing that would become common across the Maya area.[73]Stela 11 from Kaminaljuyu, a major Preclassic highland city, dates to the Middle Preclassic and is the earliest stela to depict a standing ruler. The sculpted Preclassic stelae from Kaminaljuyu and other cities in the region, such asChalchuapa inEl Salvador andChocolá in the Pacific lowlands, tend to depictpolitical succession,sacrifice andwarfare.[74]

These early stelae depicted rulers as warriors or wearing the masks and headdresses ofMaya deities, accompanied by texts that recorded dates and achievements during their reigns, as well as recording their relationships with their ancestors.[75] Stelae came to be displayed in large ceremonial plazas designed to display these monuments to maximum effect.[10] The raising of stelae spread from the Pacific Coast and adjacent highlands throughout the Maya area.[76] The development of Maya stelae coincides with the development ofdivine kingship among the Classic Maya.[10] In the southern Maya area, the Late Preclassic stelae impressed upon the viewer the achievements of the king and his right to rule, thus reinforcing both his political and religious power.[77]

Map showing the locations of the Olmec heartland to the northwest and the southern Maya area southeast of it. The landmass is located in Central America and bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, the Gulf of Mexico to the northwest and the Atlantic Ocean to the east.
Location of the Olmec heartland relative to the southern Maya area

At the Middle Preclassic city ofNakbe in the central lowlands, Maya sculptors were producing some of the earliest lowland Maya stelae, depicting richly dressed individuals.[78] Nakbe Stela 1 has been dated to around 400 BC. It was broken into pieces, but originally represented two elaborately dressed figures facing each other, and perhaps represents the transference of power from one ruler to his successor, however it also has features that recall the myth of theMaya Hero Twins, and would be the earliest known presentation of them.[79] Around 200 BC the enormous nearby city ofEl Mirador had started to erect stela-like monuments, bearing inscriptions that appear to be glyphs but that are so far unreadable.[80] Stela dating to the Late Preclassic period are also known from the sites of El Tintal,[81] Cival,[82] and San Bartolo[83] in Guatemala, and Actuncan[84] and Cahal Pech[85] in Belize.

On the Pacific CoastEl Baúl Stela 1 features a date in its hieroglyphic text that equates to 36 AD.[86] It depicts a ruler bearing a sceptre or a spear with a double column of hieroglyphic text before him.[74] At Takalik Abaj are two stelae (Stela 2 and Stela 5) depicting the transfer of power from one ruler to another; they both show two elaborately dressed figures facing each other with a column of hieroglyphic text between them.[87] The Long Count date on Stela 2 dates it to the 1st century BC at the latest,[88] while Stela 5 has two dates, the latest of which is 126 AD.[89] The stela was associated with the burial of ahuman sacrifice and other offerings.[81] Stela 13 at Takalik Abaj also dates to the Late Preclassic; a massive offering of more than 600ceramic vessels was found at its base, together with 33obsidianprismatic blades and otherartefacts. Both the stela and the offering were associated with a nearby Late Preclassicroyal tomb.[90] AtCuello in Belize, a plain stela was raised around 100 AD in an open plaza.[81]

At the very end of the Preclassic Period, around 100–300 AD, cities in the highlands and along the Pacific Coast ceased to raise sculpted stelae bearing hieroglyphic texts.[91] This cessation in the production of stelae was the most dramatic symptom of a general decline in the region at this time. This decline has been linked to the intrusion of peoples from the western highlands combined with the disastrous eruption of theIlopango Volcano that severely affected the entire region.[92]

Early Classic

[edit]
An upright stone shaft with intricate relief sculpture of a Maya king.
Stela 31 from Tikal
An upright stone shaft with the frontal image of a warrior with spear and shield and elaborate feathered headdress.
Stela fromYaxhaslot5000[dead link] depicting a Teotihuacan-style warrior

In the centralPetén lowlands, the rise of individual rule at cities like Tikal required the development of new forms of public imagery. Preclassic imagery had involved largely anonymous, impersonal sculpture as anarchitectural element. The existing Preclassic Petén styles of architectural sculpture were combined with features of the highland and Pacific Coast tradition to produce the Early Classic Maya stela.[33] Features formerly found on architectural sculpture, such as the giant masks adorning Preclassic pyramids, were adapted for use on stelae. For example, the so-called "Jester God" was transferred to the headdress of the ruler portrayed on Tikal Stela 29,[34] which bears the oldest Long Count date yet found in the Maya lowlands – equating to 292 AD.[93] At some Maya cities the first appearance of stelae corresponded with the foundation ofdynastic rule.[11]

The standard form of the Maya stela incorporating art, calendrical dates and hieroglyphic text onto a royal monument only began to be erected in the Maya lowlands after 250 AD.[94] The late 4th century saw the introduction of non-Maya imagery linked to the giant metropolis ofTeotihuacan in theValley of Mexico.[13] This foreign influence is seen at Tikal,Uaxactun,Río Azul andEl Zapote, all in thePetén Department of Guatemala. At Tikal this was initiated by the kingYax Nuun Ayiin I, from there it spread to his vassal cities.[95] In the 5th century, this strongly Teotihuacan-linked imagery was abandoned by Yax Nuun Ayiin I's sonSiyaj Chan Kʼawiil II, who reintroduced imagery associated with the Pacific Coast and adjacent highlands.[96] Minor references to Teotihuacan continued, for example in the form of Teotihuacan war emblems.[14] His Stela 31 was originally erected in 445 but was later broken from its butt and was found buried in the city centre, almost directly above his tomb.[97] It depicts the crowning of Siyaj Chan Kʼawiil II, with his father hovering above him as a supernatural being and is executed in traditional Maya style.[98] On the sides of the stela are carved two portraits of his father in a non-Maya style, dressed as a Teotihuacan warrior, bearing the central Mexicanatlatl spear-thrower not adopted by the Maya, and carrying a shield adorned with the face of the Mexican godTlaloc.[99] The reverse of the stela bears a lengthy hieroglyphic inscription detailing the history of Tikal, including theTeotihuacan invasion that established Yax Nuun Ayiin I and his dynasty.[100]

In the Early Classic period the Maya kings began to dedicate a new stela, or other monument, to mark the end of eachkʼatun cycle (representing 7,200 days, just under 20sidereal years).[101] At Tikal, the first to do so was kingKan Chitam who ruled in the late 5th century. Stela 9 from the city is the first dated monument raised to mark off a period of time, it was raised in 475.[102]

Late Classic

[edit]
The side of a stela, divided into square panels containing sculpted heieroglyphs
Hieroglyphic text on the side of Stela E at Quiriguá

In the Late Classic the sculpted images of rulers on stelae remained much the same as in the Early Classic, appearing in profile in the foreground and filling almost the entire available space, which is delimited by a frame.[103] Imagery associated with theMesoamerican ballgame started to appear in the Maya lowlands in the Late Classic Period.[16] Maya kings are depicted as warriors wearing costume from the Mexican highlands, including elements such as the foreign godTlaloc and theTeotihacan serpent. Such imagery appears in the Late Classic on stelae fromNaranjo,Piedras Negras and thePetexbatún cities ofDos Pilas andAguateca. At Dos Pilas, a pair of stelae represent the king of the city in costume forming ajaguar and eagle pairing, characteristic of the Mexican warrior cult.[104] Stelae were being erected by the Maya across the entire central and southern Maya lowlands by 790, an area that encompassed 150,000 square kilometres (58,000 sq mi).[105]

In the north,Coba on the eastern side of theYucatán Peninsula raised at least 23 large stelae. Although badly eroded their style and texts link them to cities from the Petén Basin.[106] At the southern periphery of the Maya region, Copán developed a new high-relief style of stelae and in 652 the twelfth kingChan Imix Kʼawiil arranged a series of these stelae to define the sacred geometry of the city, and to celebrate his royal rule and his ancestors.[107] His son and successorUaxaclajuun Ubʼaah Kʼawiil further developed this new high-relief style of sculpture and erected a series of intricately decorated stelae in the city's Great Plaza that brought the carving of stelae close to full in-the-round three-dimensional sculpture.[108] Both of these kings focused on their own images on their stelae and emphasised their place in the dynastic sequence to justify their rule, possibly linked to a break in the dynastic sequence with the death of the eleventh king of Copán.[109]

AfterQuiriguá defeated its overlord Copán in 738, it brought massive blocks of red sandstone from quarries 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from the city and sculpted a series of enormous stelae that were the biggestmonolithic monuments ever raised by the Maya.[110] Stela E stands over 10 metres (33 ft) high and weighs more than 60 tons. These stelae were shaped into a square cross-section and were decorated on all four faces. These stelae usually bear two images of the Quiriguá king, on the front and the back, in a lower relief than that found at Copán.[111] They feature highly complex panels of hieroglyphic text that are among the most skillfully executed of all Maya inscriptions in stone. The stelae have weathered well and display fine precision on the part of the sculptors.[112]

Terminal Classic

[edit]
A thick stone slab with a rounded top, showing eroded imagery on the front framed by a band of hieroglyphs
Stela 11 from Tikal, the last to be raised at the city
An upright stone shaft showing a figure looking to the left, holding a staff in one hand and wearing an elaborate feathered headdress. There are panels of hieroglyphs above and to the left of the figure.
Stela 11 from Seibal, displaying foreign influence

The decline in the erection of stelae is linked to the decline in the institution of divine kingship, which began in the Late Preclassic. Originally the stelae depicted the king with symbols of power, sometimes standing over defeated enemies and occasionally accompanied by his wives or his heir.[113] By the Terminal Classic, kings were sharing stelae with subordinate lords, who also played a prominent role in the events depicted.[17] This reflected a decentralisation of power and the bargaining between high-ranking nobles so that the king could maintain power, but led to a progressive weakening of the king's rule. As the position of the king became weaker and that of his vassals and subordinates became stronger, the latter began to erect their own stelae, a function that was formerly the exclusive preserve of the king himself. Some of these subordinates broke away to form their own petty states, but even this did not last and they also ceased to erect monuments.[114]

In thePasión River region of Petén, rulers began to be portrayed as ballplayers on stelae.Seibal was the first site in the region to depict its rulers thus.[115] Seventeen stelae were erected at Seibal between 849 and 889, and show a mix of Maya and foreign styles, including a lord wearing the beaked mask ofEhecatl, the central Mexican wind god, with a Mexican-stylespeech scroll emerging from the mouth. Some of these have a stylistic affinity with the painted murals atCacaxtla, a non-Maya site in the centralMexican state ofTlaxcala. This hybrid style seems to indicate that the kings of Seibal were Maya lords adapting to changing political conditions by adopting a mix of symbols originating from both lowland Maya and central Mexican sources.[116] Some of the more foreign-looking stelae even bear non-Maya calendrical glyphs.[117] Stelae atOxkintok, to the north in thePuuc region of the Yucatán Peninsula, divided the face of the stela into up to three levels, each of which contained a different scene, usually of a lone figure that could be either male or female.[118] The representation of the human figure differed from the formal treatment in the south, and were simplified, coarse representations lacking individuality amongst sociopolitical and religious symbols.[119]

As theClassic Maya collapse swept across the Maya region, city after city ceased to erect stelae recording its dynastic achievements.[113] At the important city ofCalakmul, two stelae were raised in 800 and three more in 810, but these were the last and the city fell into silence.[120] At Oxkintok the last stela was raised in 859.[121] Stela 11, dated to 869, was the last monument to ever be erected at the once great city of Tikal.[122] The last known Maya stelae bearing a Long Count calendrical date areToniná Monument 101, which was erected in 909 to mark the kʼatun ending that year,[123] and Stela 6 fromItzimté, dated to 910.[124]

Postclassic

[edit]

At Copán ritual offerings were deposited around the city's stelae until at least 1000, which may represent the offerings of a surviving elite that still remembered its ancestors, or may be due to highland Maya still regarding the city as a place of pilgrimage long after it had fallen into ruin.[125] A small number of sculpted stelae once stood atCerro Quiac in the Guatemalan Highlands, and are presumed to have been erected byMam Maya in the 13th or 14th century.[126] AtLamanai inBelize, Classic period stelae were repositioned upon two smallPostclassic platforms dating to the 15th or 16th century.[127] AtLa Milpa, also in Belize, at around the time ofSpanish contact in the late 16th century a tiny remnant Maya population started to make offerings of Conquest-period pottery to stelae, perhaps in an effort to invoke the ancestors to help resist theSpanish onslaught.[128] A plain stela in Twin Pyramid Group R at Tikal was removed by the local inhabitants some time during the Postclassic; its accompanying altar was also moved but abandoned some distance from its original location.[129] Some plain stelae were raised atTopoxté in the Petén Lakes region of Guatemala in the Postclassic; these were perhaps covered instucco and painted. This may represent a revival of thekatun-ending ceremonies that occurred in the Classic Period, and reflected ties with the northern Yucatán.[130]

Discovery

[edit]

One of the earliest accounts of Maya stelae comes fromDiego Garcia de Palacio, a Spanish colonial official who described six of the stelae at Copán in a letter to kingPhilip II of Spain written in 1576.[131]Juan Galindo, governor of Petén, visited Copán in 1834 and noted the sculpted high-relief stelae there.[132] Five years later, American diplomatJohn Lloyd Stephens and British artistFrederick Catherwood arrived in war-torn Central America and set out for Copán, describing fifteen stelae in Stephens'Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas and Yucatán, published in 1841.[133] Stephens and Catherwood noticed the presence of red pigment on some of the Copán stelae.[134] Stephens unsuccessfully attempted to buy the ruins of Quiriguá, and purchased Copán for US$50 ($ 1,500 in 2025) with the idea of shipping the stelae toNew York for display in a new museum.[135] In the event, he was prevented from shipping the monuments down theCopán River by the discovery of impassable rapids and all the stelae remained at the site.[136] While Stephens was engaged on business elsewhere, Catherwood carried out a brief investigation of the stelae at Quiriguá but found them very difficult to draw without acamera lucida due to their great height.[137]Ambrosio Tut, governor of Petén, and colonelModesto Méndez, the chief magistrate, visited the ruins of Tikal in 1848 accompanied byEusebio Lara, who drew some of the monuments there.[138] In 1852 Modesto Méndez went on to discover Stela 1 and Stela 5 at Ixkun.[139] English explorerAlfred Maudslay arrived at Quiriguá in 1881 and cleared the vegetation from the stelae, then travelled on to see the stelae at Copán.[140] In the early 20th century, an expedition by theCarnegie Institution led by AmericanMayanistSylvanus Morley discovered a stela at Uaxactun. This period marked a change from the efforts of individual explorers to those of institutions that funded archaeological exploration, excavation and restoration.[141]

Collections

[edit]

Notable collections of stelae on public display include an impressive series of 8th-century monuments at Quiriguá and 21 stelae collected in the sculpture museum at Tikal National Park, both of which areWorld Heritage Sites in Guatemala.[143] Calakmul, in Mexico, is another World Heritage site that also includes many stelae regarded as outstanding examples ofMaya art.[144] Copán in Honduras, also a World Heritage Site, possesses over 10 finely carved stelae in the site core alone.[145]

TheMuseo Nacional de Arqueología y Etnología ("National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology") inGuatemala City displays a number of fine stelae, including three 9th-century stelae fromMachaquilá, an 8th-century stela fromNaranjo and other stelae fromIxtutz,Kaminaljuyu,La Amelia, Piedras Negras, Seibal, Tikal, Uaxactun andUcanal.[146] TheMuseo Nacional de Antropología ("National Museum of Anthropology") inMexico City has a small number of Maya stelae on display.[147] TheSan Diego Museum of Man inCalifornia contains replicas of the stelae from Quiriguá that were made in 1915 for thePacific-California Exhibition.[148]

ManyMaya archaeological sites have stelae on display in their original locations, in Guatemala these include, but are not limited to,Aguateca,[149]Dos Pilas,[150]El Chal,[151]Ixkun,[152]Nakum,[153] Seibal,[154] Takalik Abaj,[155] Uaxactun,[156] andYaxha.[157] In Mexico, stelae may be seen atYaxchilan,[158] and the site museum at Toniná.[159]

Looting

[edit]

Stelae have become threatened in modern times by plundering for sale on theinternational art market.[160] Many stelae are found in remote areas and their size and weight prevents them from being removed intact. Various methods are used to cut or break a stela for easier transport, including power saws, chisels, acid and heat. When a monument is well preserved, the looters attempt to cut off its face for transport. Even when successful, this results in damage to inscriptions on the sides of the stela. At worst, this method results in complete fragmentation of the stela face with any recoverable sculpture removed for sale. Traceable fragments of well known monuments have been purchased byAmerican museums and private collectors in the past.[161] When such monuments are removed from their original context, their historical meaning is lost.[160] Although museums have justified their acquisition of stelae fragments with the argument that such objects are better preserved in an institution, no stela has been sold in as good a condition as it was in its original location. After 1970 there was a sharp drop in Maya stelae available on theNew York art market due to the ratification of a treaty with Mexico that guarantees the return of stolenpre-Columbian sculpture that was removed from the country after the ratification date.[161] In the early 1970s some museums, such as that of theUniversity of Pennsylvania, responded to international criticism by no longer purchasing archaeological artefacts that lack a legally documented history, including place of origin, previous owners and an export license.Harvard University also instituted a similar policy in the early 1970s.[162]

In 1972, the initially well preserved Stela 5 at Ixkun was smashed into pieces by looters, who heated it until it shattered and then stole various pieces.[163] A number of remaining fragments of the monument were rescued by archaeologistIan Graham and transferred to the mayor's office inDolores, Petén, where they were eventually used as construction material before once again being recovered, this time by theAtlas Arqueológico de Guatemala in 1989, and moved to their archaeological laboratory.[163] At the nearby site ofIxtonton, 7.5 kilometres (4.7 mi) from Ixkun, most of the stelae were robbed before the site's existence was reported to the Guatemalan authorities. By the time archaeologists visited the site in 1985 only 2 stelae remained.[164]

In 1974, a dealer in pre-Columbian artefacts by the name of Hollinshead arranged for the illegal removal of Machaquilá Stela 2 from the Guatemalan jungle. He and his co-conspirators were prosecuted in the United States under theNational Stolen Property Act and they were the first people to be convicted under this act with reference tonational patrimony laws.[165] The act states:

"whoever transports, transmits, or transfers in interstate or foreign commerce any goods ... of the value of $5,000 or more, knowing thesame to have been stolen, converted or taken by fraud... [s]hall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both... "[w]hoever receives, possesses, conceals, stores, barters, sells, or disposes of any goods .. . which have crossed a State or United States boundary after being stolen, unlawfully converted, or taken, knowing the same to have been stolen, unlawfully converted, or taken (is subject to fine or imprisonment)."[166]

The act was originally intended to discourage the handling of stolen property but several courts have judged that the National Stolen Property Act is sufficiently broad in scope to apply to goods crossing into the United States from a foreign nation, and is therefore applicable in the case of stolencultural property.[165]

UnderGuatemalan law, Maya stelae and other archaeological artefacts are property of theGuatemalan government and may not be removed from the country without its permission. In the case of Machaquilá Stela 2, the monument was well known before it was stolen and its illegal removal was easy to prove.[165] The stela itself was cut into pieces, with the face being sawn off and moved to a fish packing factory inBelize, where it was packed into boxes and shipped to California.[167] There it was seized by theFederal Bureau of Investigation after being offered for sale to various institutions.[63] The stolen portion of the stela was returned to Guatemala and is now in storage at the Museo Nacional de Arqueología y Etnología in Guatemala City.[167]

Looting has been linked to the economic and political stability of the possessing nation, with levels of looting increasing during times of crisis. It also appears that art collectors have stelae, or portions of them, stolen to order by browsing archaeological books and catalogues for desirable pieces. Examples of this may be found atAguateca andEl Perú, both in Guatemala'sPetén department, where only the better preserved hieroglyphs and human faces were cut away.[168]

List of known Maya stelae by city

[edit]
Notes:
  • This list, as research continues, is always open to further growth;
  • The list may also contain other kinds of monuments, such as panels/lintels or zoomorphs;
  • Long Count dates are presented in the shortened form, and the conversion to actual dates follows theGregorian calendar;
  • All dates are AD (CE), otherwise is noted.
MonumentImageDate
(M.A. Calendar)
Date
(Greg. Calendar)
MonarchSiteCountryDescription/EventRefs
Stela 1AguatecaGuatemala
Stela 2AguatecaGuatemala
Stela 6AguatecaGuatemalaCommemoration of a victory by the ruler of the city: the god Jaguar is represented in the warrior/monarch's shield and his two captives have bound feet.
Stela 7AguatecaGuatemala
Stela 1Altar de SacrificiosGuatemalaThe site was named after the finding of this stela.[169]
Stela 210.1.0.0.230 November 849Altar de SacrificiosGuatemalaLatest inscribed stela found on the site.[170]
Stela 109.1.0.0.228 August 455Altar de SacrificiosGuatemala
Stela 1807Lachan Kʼawiil Ajaw BotLa AmeliaGuatemalaPortrait of the monarch.[171][172][173]
Lintel 2804Lachan Kʼawiil Ajaw BotLa AmeliaGuatemalaPortrait of the monarch dressed as a ballplayer.[173][172]
Stela 17.19.15.7.126 March 37 CEEl BaúlGuatemala
Stela 7El BaúlGuatemalaThe monarch is standing in front of a second person squatting and in a position of submission wearing paper ear-rings, symbol of the captives.
Stela 1Jasaw Chan Muwaan IIBonampakMexicoPortrait of the monarch standing and carrying a ceremonial cane. The styling of the pupil gives him a greater strength to his look; in the lower part of the stele is observed the monster of the earth from which the faces of the young god of corn emerge. A band of glyphs under the feet of the ruler refers to his genealogy, while in another vertical band the emblem glyph of the city can be observed.
Stela 2Jasaw Chan Muwaan IIBonampakMexicoScene of a self-sacrifice ritual performed by the monarch, who is richly dressed (and carrying in his right hand a bag withcopal from which the face of the bat god is seen) and between two women: in front of him, his motherLady Shield Skull, who carries the stingray spines to perform the piercing, and behind him, his wifeLady Green Rabbit of Yaxchilán who wears ahuipil and holds the basket with the strips of paper ready to receive the blood drops of the ruler, which will later be incinerated in honor of their deities.
Stela 3Jasaw Chan Muwaan IIBonampakMexicoPortrait of the monarch, standing in front of a second person squatting and in a position of submission wearing paper ear-rings, symbol of the captives.
Lintel 19.17.16.3.1212 January 787Jasaw Chan Muwaan IIBonampakMexicoPortrait of the monarch capturing an enemy.[174]
Lintel 29.17.16.3.84 January 787Jasaw Chan Muwaan IIBonampakMexicoPortrait of the overlord of Bonampak,Yaxun Bahlam IV of Yaxchilán[174]
Lintel 39.17.9.11.1425 July 780Jasaw Chan Muwaan IIBonampakMexicoPortrait of the predecessor of the monarch,Aj Sak Teleh[174]
Stela 1CalakmulMexico[175]
Stela 7CalakmulMexico
Stela 8CalakmulMexicoCelebration of an event in 593. Stela erected after his death.[176]
Stela 99.12.0.0.029 June 672Yuknoom Ch'een IICalakmulMexicoPortrait ofYuknoom Yichʼaak Kʼahkʼ, heir of the monarch (front); Portrait of the wife ofYuknoom Yichʼaak Kʼahkʼ (back). The text that describes the birth of king Yuknoom Yich'aak K'ahk' (6 October 649) and gives him his full royal title.[177]
Stela 13Yuknoom Ch'een IICalakmulMexicoPortrait of the monarch.
Stela 239.13.10.0.024 January 702Yuknoom Took' K'awiilCalakmulMexicoPortrait of the wife of the monarch.
Stela 249.13.10.0.024 January 702Yuknoom Took' K'awiilCalakmulMexicoPortrait of the monarch.
Stela 25Bolon K'awiil ICalakmulMexico
Stela 26CalakmulMexico
Stela 27CalakmulMexico
Stela 289.9.10.0.019 March 623Tajoom Ukʼab KʼahkʼCalakmulMexicoStelae that are the earliest monuments to survive from Late Classic Calakmul. They depict a royal couple but the texts are too poorly preserved to reveal their names.[176]
Stela 299.9.10.0.019 March 623Tajoom Ukʼab KʼahkʼCalakmulMexico
Stela 30Yuknoom Ch'een IICalakmulMexico
Stela 31Yuknoom Ch'een IICalakmulMexico
Stela 32Yuknoom Ch'een IICalakmulMexico
Stela 339.11.5.0.016 September 657Yuknoom Ch'een IICalakmulMexicoThe stela records an event in the reign ofUneh Chan, who may have been the monarch's father. The event was celebrated in 593.[176]
Stela 34Yuknoom Ch'een IICalakmulMexico
Stela 359.11.8.0.0 (front)
9.11.10.0.0 (back)
27 March 661 (front)
21 August 662 (back)
Yuknoom Ch'een IICalakmulMexico
Stela 36Yuknoom Ch'een IICalakmulMexico
Stela 37Yuknoom Ch'een IICalakmulMexico
Stela 38Yuknoom Took' K'awiilCalakmulMexico[175]
Stela 39Yuknoom Took' K'awiilCalakmulMexico
Stela 40Yuknoom Took' K'awiilCalakmulMexico
Stela 41Yuknoom Took' K'awiilCalakmulMexico
Stela 42Yuknoom Took' K'awiilCalakmulMexico[175]
Stela 439.3.19.17.1410 October 514CalakmulMexicoThe text is in the stela is damaged but carries an early spelling of thek'uhul chatan winik non-royal noble title used in Calakmul and the Mirador Basin.[178]
Stela 50CalakmulMexicoOne of the last monuments erected during the final decline of the city. It bears a crude, clumsily executed portrait.[120]
Stela 51731Yuknoom Took' K'awiilCalakmulMexicoBest preserved monument at Calakmul.[1]
Stela 52731Yuknoom Took' K'awiilCalakmulMexico
Stela 53731Yuknoom Took' K'awiilCalakmulMexico
Stela 54731Yuknoom Took' K'awiilCalakmulMexicoPortrait of a wife of Yuknoom Took' K'awiil.[1]
Stela 55Yuknoom Took' K'awiilCalakmulMexico
Stela 57771Bolon K'awiil IICalakmulMexicoThe two stelae form a pair.[120]
Stela 58771Bolon K'awiil IICalakmulMexico
Stela 59Bolon K'awiil ICalakmulMexico
Stela 60Bolon K'awiil ICalakmulMexico
Stela 61899 or 909Aj Took'CalakmulMexicoIt is a stunted stela with a badly eroded portrait and a shortened date[120]
Stela 62751Great SerpentCalakmulMexico
Stela 68Great SerpentCalakmulMexico
Stela 70Yuknoom Took' K'awiilCalakmulMexico
Stela 71Yuknoom Took' K'awiilCalakmulMexico
Stela 72Yuknoom Took' K'awiilCalakmulMexico
Stela 73Yuknoom Took' K'awiilCalakmulMexico
Stela 74Yuknoom Took' K'awiilCalakmulMexico
Stela 759.12.0.0.029 June 672Yuknoom Ch'een IICalakmulMexico
Stela 76633Yuknoom HeadCalakmulMexicoThis stela pairs with Stela 78[176]
Stela 77Yuknoom Ch'een IICalakmulMexico
Stela 78Yuknoom HeadCalakmulMexicoThis stela pairs with Stela 76.[176]
Stela 799.12.0.0.029 June 672Yuknoom Ch'een IICalakmulMexico
Stela 8410th-centuryCalakmulMexicoThis stela is one of the last monuments erected at Calakmul and bears an inscription that is an illiterate imitation of writing.
Stela 85Yuknoom Ch'een IICalakmulMexico
Stela 86Yuknoom Ch'een IICalakmulMexico
Stela 87Yuknoom Ch'een IICalakmulMexico
Stela 88Great SerpentCalakmulMexicoProbably paired with Stela 62. Portrait a queen, albeit unknown. B'olon K'awiil also appears to be mentioned on the stela[120]
Stela 89Yuknoom Took' K'awiilCalakmulMexico
Stela 9110th-centuryCalakmulMexicoLike Stela 84, this stela bears an inscription that is a meaningless imitation of hieroglyphic writing.[120]
Stela 93Yuknoom Ch'een IICalakmulMexico
Stela 94Yuknoom Ch'een IICalakmulMexico
Stela 1148.19.15.12.1314 September 431CalakmulMexicoThe stela has a long hieroglyphic text that has resisted translation but probably commemorates a royal enthronement in 411.[179]
Stela 1159.12.10.0.08 May 682Yuknoom Ch'een IICalakmulMexico[180]
Stela 1169.12.10.0.08 May 682Yuknoom Ch'een IICalakmulMexico
Lintel 3799Tajal Chan AhkCancuénGuatemalaPortrait of the monarch.
Stela 19.8.0.0.028 August 593K'an II orYajaw Teʼ Kʼinich IICaracolBelizePotentially posthumous monument erected by Kan II, to solidify his rule by referring to Lord Water (but not his predecessor Knot Ahau) or by Yajaw Te’ K’inich I, along with Altar 1 to mark the 9.8.0.0.0 K’atun ending (AD 593). It was found standing and unfragmented.[181][182]
Stela 2CaracolBelizeFragmented into seven pieces, only the top portion was found.[183]
Stela 39.11.0.0.013 October 652K'an IICaracolBelizePossible portrait ofLady Batz’ Ek’, who may have been the monarch's mother and/or have served as his regent. The text mentions two arrivals at different dates (probably hers?) at 9.7.10.16.8 and again at 9.9.9.10.5 (although the presence of two arrivals is not thoroughly explained), and proves that she was foreign to Caracol. The stela also references the monarch's accession in 618 and also his 1st penis perforation at age 5 under the direction of his father,Yajaw Teʼ Kʼinich II (Lord Water).Found broken in two major fragments.[181][182][183]
Stela 49.7.10.0.017 October 583Yajaw Teʼ Kʼinich IICaracolBelizePortrait of the monarch.
Stela 59.9.0.0.010 May 613Knot AjawCaracolBelizeCelebration of the 9th K’atun ending. Portrait of the monarch, holding the ceremonial bar, surrounded by open portals with emerging named ancestors.[181]
Stela 69.8.10.0.02 July 603Knot AjawCaracolBelizeFirst stela erected by this monarch. Originally had over 144 glyphs, and depicted twin portraits of the monarch and his father,Yajaw Teʼ Kʼinich II. It also makes note of LordChekaj K’inich who also carries the Caracol emblem glyph, and may be the younger brother of Lord Water (Yajaw Te’ K’inich).[181][183]
Stela 79.10.0.0.026 January 633Kʼan IICaracolBelize
Stela 89.19.0.0.026 June 810CaracolBelizeBadly eroded stela, the only semi-legible text being a date.
Stela 9[9.18.0.0.0 – 10.0.0.0.0][9 October 790 – 13 March 830]CaracolBelize
Stela 1010.1.10.0.07 October 859Ruler 13 of CaracolCaracolBelizeThe stela displays a glyphic text on one face, making it unusual in the Caracol corpus.[183]
Stela 119.18.10.0.017 August 800K’inich Joy KawiilCaracolBelizeThe text in the stela suggests thatTum Yohl K’inich is the monarch's father, or potentially a related high-ranking military leader[181]
Stela 12CaracolBelizeThe stela was devoid of any carving, and entirely plain. While this may be an uncarved monument, it is also likely that erosion destroyed any carving that may have once been present.
Stela 139.4.0.0.016 October 514Yajaw Teʼ Kʼinich ICaracolBelizeThe iconography on the front closely resembles that of Stela 16, and the back contains enough legible glyphs that date the monument. This date makes it the second oldest stela at the site, and confirms the existence of a royal dynasty at Caracol. The iconography is standard Early Classic, with the monarch holding the ceremonial bar while wearing a god mask.[184]
Stela 149.6.0.0.020 March 554Yajaw Teʼ Kʼinich IICaracolBelizeCelebration of the K’atun ending.It was originally thought to be uncarved when first discovered, yet it is actually finely incised and depicts the monarch seated holding the ceremonial bar over a 42 block glyphic text.[181]
Stela 159.7.0.0.05 December 573CaracolBelizeIt is primarily glyphic, although there are small and eroded figures at the top of the monument. It records the accession ofKʼan I and a ch’ak (axe) event against Caracol by the Snake polity and Tikal[181]
Stela 169.5.0.0.03 July 534Kʼan ICaracolBelizeThe stela is well preserved, and depicts the monarch with the ceremonial bar standing above three smaller seated figures which appear below the ground line. The text of the stela gives a genealogy and includes: the monarch's grandfather,Kʼahkʼ Ujol Kʼinich I; a royal woman fromXultun; and both of the monarch's parents.Bahlam Nehn ofCopán is also mentioned, his appearance is however unclear.[181]
Stela 1710.1.0.0.028 November 849K’an IIICaracolBelizeThe stela depicts two seated lords facing each other and accompanied by glyphic texts, dating to AD 849. Originally it seems that there was also carving on the sides, with four large cartouches on each side presumably with one large glyph block in each, although these are now eroded and illegible.[181][183]
Stela 189.19.0.0.026 June 810K’inich Toobil YopaatCaracolBelizeCelebration of the end of the 19th K’atun. The stela is badly eroded, but shows a full figured vision serpent over the body of a bound captive.[185][181][182]
Stela 199.19.10.0.04 May 820K’inich Toobil YopaatCaracolBelizeOnce the tallest stela at Caracol, it is now broken into several eroded fragments. Only six glyph blocks partially remain on the front, which while eroded, clearly shows the outline of a ruler holding the ceremonial bar. Each side of the monument displayed two cartouches with four glyph blocks each, although those on the left side are broken and eroded. The legible text on the right side seems to be a continuation of the text on the left side, and begins with a glyph that resembles the Site Q (La Corona) emblem. The text also references the two Paddler Gods, who were ‘seen’ by the monarch.[184][181][184][183]
Stela 20CaracolBelizeOnly the upper portion of the Stela is known, and depicts two facing seated individuals with two eroded glyphic text in between. In the upper left corner appear the jaws of what Beetz and Satterthwaite describe as a serpent. It gives a date of what is likely an accession, but neither the date nor the ruler's name are included.[183]
Stela 219.13.10.0.024 January 702Ruler 7 of CaracolCaracolBelizePortrait of the monarch, shown with a kneeling captive identified as a k’uhul ajaw (holy lord) of Ixkun, although his name glyph is also illegible. The top left portion of the stela is broken off, and the lowest row of glyph blocks have broken off and eroded.[183][182][181]
Stela 229.10.0.0.025 January 633K'an IICaracolBelizeThe stela once had a hieroglyphic text which covered the entire face of the monument; this text is now badly eroded. Two small figures were carved on the top corners of the monument, sitting crossed legged facing each other. The surviving text relates events from the reign of thia monarch. Importantly, the stela relates the arrival date ofLady Batz’ Ek’ to Caracol at 9.9.9.10.5. (10 October 622). This date is also associated with an event with a ruler of Site Q (La Corona), leading Grubeto suggest that this indicates that Batz’ Ek’ was a woman from Site Q who helped establish an alliance between the two centers. This alliance eventually led to the combined defeat of Naranjo, which is mentioned later in the legible text.[184]
Stela 23[361–420]CaracolBelizeNo iconography exists, and only a small amount of text survives. Shows a date that falls between AD 361 and AD 420 and referencesyajaw te’, which may be referencing a recurring royal name:Yajaw Te’ K’inich[181]
Stela 24CaracolBelizeOnly a small portion of the original carving exists; no glyphic text. It depicts a monarch below the waist, and a jaguarian figure emerging from a serpentine mouth. A second figure appears on the left, but only a hand is still visible.
Stela700Caribe, ElMexicoPortrait of a monarch with a captive.
Stela 1Cayo, ElMexicoPortrait of a monarch.
Stela 2Cayo, ElMexicoPortrait of a monarch with a servant?
Lintel 1Cayo, ElMexicoPortrait of a monarch; Hieroglyphic text
Panel9.16.13.5.1421 June 764Cayo, ElMexicoA monarch performing a ceremony.
PanelCayo, ElMexicoPortrait of a monarch; Hieroglyphic text
PanelCayo, ElMexicoPortrait of two rulers.
Stela 1869Wa'tul ChatelCeibal, ElGuatemalaThe stela names someone called "Knife-Wing", who is also known at distantChichen Itzá.[186]
Stela 2870Wa'tul ChatelCeibal, ElGuatemalaBroken and restored. It depicts the frontal view of a masked figure and is the only monument at El Ceibal to show a frontal portrayal.[187]
Stela 3Ceibal, ElGuatemalaThe stela bears anon-Maya calendrical date, one of the glyphs iscipactli, a crocodile head used to represent the first day of the 260-day calendar in central Mexico.[188]
Stela 4Ceibal, ElGuatemalaThe stela was lost for sixty years before being rediscovered.[70]
Stela 5780Ceibal, ElGuatemalaThe broken middle section of the stela is all that is left, and it bears the representation of aballplayer.[189]
Stela 6Ceibal, ElGuatemalaHieroglyphic text.
Stela 79.18.10.0.017 August 800Ceibal, ElGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch dressed as a ballplayer. The monument also records the accession of a king of Seibal in 771.[189]
Stela 8Wa'tul ChatelCeibal, ElGuatemalaPortrait of the monarch, who wears jaguar claws on his hands and feet, together with other attributes of the Bearded Jaguar God.In one hand the king holds the head of the godK'awiil. The text describes a visitor named Hakawitzil, an early form ofJacawitz, the name of one of the patron gods of thePostclassicK'iche' Kingdom of Q'umarkaj in theGuatemalan Highlands. Schele and Mathews propose that the event depicted on this stela gave rise to the foundation legends of theK'iche' people.[190]
Stela 9Wa'tul ChatelCeibal, ElGuatemalaThe stela was damaged and one section is missing. It depicts the monarch with the attributes of theMaize God and describes him invoking theVision Serpent.[191][192]
Stela 10Wa'tul ChatelCeibal, ElGuatemalaPortrait of the monarch, dressed in Terminal Classic Maya style, although his foreign-looking face bears a moustache, which is not a typically Mayan characteristic. The text on this stela displays theemblem glyphs ofTikal,Calakmul andMotul de San José, describing how he received visitors from those cities. Among the visitors are named Kan-Pet of Calakmul andKan Ek' of Motul. Wat'ul Chatel wears a headdress associated with the patron gods of Seibal, the heron god and K'awiil, deities that were also the patrons ofPalenque. This appears to be an attempt by this foreign king to identify himself more closely with the city he came to rule.<[193]
Stela 1110.0.0.0.114 March 830Wa'tul ChatelCeibal, ElGuatemalaThe stela has text that describes the refounding of Seibal on 14 March 830 and the installation of its new lord, Wat'ul Chatel, as a vassal of Chan Ek' Hopet of Ucanal.A panel beneath the portrait of the ruler depicts a bound captive. The hieroglyphic inscription describes how Wat'ul Chatel arrived with hispalanquins and his patron deities.[194]
Stela 12Ceibal, ElGuatemala
Stela 13870Wa'tul ChatelCeibal, ElGuatemala
Stela 14870Wa'tul ChatelCeibal, ElGuatemalaBears stylistic similarities with sculptures at distantChichen Itzá in the extreme north of theYucatán Peninsula.[195]
Stela 18Ceibal, ElGuatemalaOne of the last stelae to be erected in the city[189]
Stela 19Ceibal, ElGuatemalaThe stela demonstrates the foreign influences prevalent at Seibal during the Late Classic. It depicts a lord wearing a mask representing the central Mexican wind godEhecatl.[196]
Stela 20889Wa'tul ChatelCeibal, ElGuatemalaPortrait of the monarch. One of the last stelae to be erected in the city.[189]
Stela 21Wa'tul ChatelCeibal, ElGuatemalaDamaged and restored, the stela depicts the monarch bearing a manikin sceptre, and wearing attributes of the Bearded Jaguar God, although without the jaguar claws. The king holds a K'awiil sceptre raised in his right hand, from his other hand hands a shield with the face of the sun god. The inscription on the monument is largely illegible.[197]
PanelCeibal, ElGuatemalaHieroglyphic text.
Stela 129.16.0.0.07 May 751ChactúnMexico
Stela 179.15.0.0.020 August 731ChactúnMexico
Stela 189.15.0.0.020 August 731ChactúnMexicoPortrait of a monarch on both sides of the stela.
Stela 19ChactúnMexico
Stela 3Chal, ElGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch
Stela 4Chal, ElGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch in a ceremony.
Stela 5Chal, ElGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch
Stela 7Chal, ElGuatemala
Stela 8Chal, ElGuatemala
Stela 27.16.3.2.136 December 36 BCEChiapa de CorzoMexicoThis stela bears the earliestMesoamerican Long Count calendar date yet found.
Lintel 1Chicozapote, ElMexicoA portrait of a seated lord.
Lintel 2Chicozapote, ElMexicoA portrait of a seated lord.
Lintel 3Chicozapote, ElMexicoA portrait of two seated lords.
Lintel 4Chicozapote, ElMexicoA portrait of a seated lord.
Stela 1ChinkulticMexicoPortraits of unknown monarchs
Stela 8ChinkulticMexico
Stela 19.12.0.0.0 (front)
9.12.10.5.12 (back)
29 June 672 (front)
28 August 682 (back)
Lady K'awiil Ek' (front)
Chan Yopaat (back)
CobáMexicoIn Face 1, there's a portrait of Lady K'awiil Ajaw; In Face 2, there's a portrait of Chan Yopaat.[198]
Stela 29.10.10.0.04 December 642Lady K'awiil Ek'CobáMexico
Stela 39.10.0.0.025 January 633Sihyaj Chan K'awiilCobáMexico
Stela 49.9.10.0.0 or 9.11.0.0.019 March 623 or 12 October 652Sihyaj Chan K'awiil orLady K'awiil Ek'CobáMexicoThe stela may represent, according to some authors, the wife of Sihyaj Chan K'awiil, or Lady K'awiil Ek', according to others.
Stela 59.11.10.021 August 662Lady K'awiil Ek'CobáMexicoPortraits of the monarch and her husband on both sides of the stela.
Stela 69.9.10.0.019 March 623Sihyaj Chan K'awiilCobáMexicoDepicts a commemoration.
Stela 8CobáMexicoPortraits of unknown monarchs. Stela 11 only shows the upper portion of a monarch's portrait.
Stela 9CobáMexico
Stela 10CobáMexico
Stela 11CobáMexico
Stela 12CobáMexico
Stela 13CobáMexico
Stela 15CobáMexico
Stela 16CobáMexicoA stela with text only.
Stela 17CobáMexico
Stela 18CobáMexicoA stela with text only.
Stela 19CobáMexico
Stela 209.17.2.0.5 (front)
9.17.10.0.0 (back)
16 January 773 (front)
30 November 780 (back)
Chan K'inichCobáMexicoPortraits of the ruler at his ascension to the throne (773), and in a commemoration (780).
Stela 21CobáMexicoPortraits of unknown monarchs.
Stela 22CobáMexico
Stela 23CobáMexico
Stela 299.7.5.0.0 or 9.10.18.0.09 November 578 or 23 October 650Lady Ch'eenal orLady K'awiil Ek'CobáMexico
Stela 30Lady Ch'eenalCobáMexico
Panel 4CobáMexicoPortrait.
Panel 6CobáMexicoPortrait.
Stela 1ComitánMexicoPortrait of a monarch.
Stela 1Chan Imix K'awiilCopánHondurasPortrait of the monarch.[199][200][201]
Stela 2652Chan Imix K'awiilCopánHondurasPortrait of the monarch.[199]
Stela 3652Chan Imix K'awiilCopánHondurasPortrait of the monarch.[199]
Stela 49.14.15.0.017 September 726Uaxaclajuun Ub'aah K'awiilCopánHondurasInscription records very early event involving the patron gods of the city on 8.6.0.0.0 (19 December 159 AD) and links them to a reenactment of those events by the monarch who erected the stela.[202]
Stela 59.9.14.11.04 October 627Chan Imix K'awiilCopánHondurasPortrait of the monarch.
Stela 6Chan Imix K'awiilCopánHonduras
Stela 79.9.0.0.010 May 613K'ak' Chan Yopaat orB'utz' ChanCopánHondurasCelebration of aK'atun-ending ceremony. It bears a long hieroglyphic text that has been only partially deciphered.[203][204]
Stela 8Yax Pasaj Chan YopaatCopánHonduras[205]
Stela 9564Tzi-BahlamCopánHondurasPortrait of the monarch.[206][207]
Stela 10Chan Imix K'awiilCopánHondurasPortrait of the monarch.[208]
Stela 119.19.10.0.04 May 820Yax Pasaj Chan YopaatCopánHondurasThe stela was originally an interior column from Temple 18, the monarch's funerary shrine. It portrays the monarch as the elderlyMaya maize god and has imagery that seems to deliberately parallel the tomb lid of the Palenque kingK'inich Janaab' Pakal, probably because of Yax Pasaj Chan Yopaat's close family ties to that city. The text of the column formed part of a longer text carved onto the interior walls of the temple and may describe the downfall of the Copán dynasty.[209][210]
Stela 12652Chan Imix K'awiilCopánHondurasPortrait of the monarch.[199]
Stela 13652Chan Imix K'awiilCopánHondurasPortrait of the monarch.[211][199]
Stela 15524B'alam NehnCopánHondurasIts sculpture consists entirely of hieroglyphic text, which mentions that the monarch was ruling the city by AD 504.[212][213]
Stela 16CopánHonduras
Stela 17554Tzi-BahlamCopánHondurasPortrait of the monarch.[214][207]
Stela 18K'inich Popol HolCopánHondurasA fragment of a monument bearing the name of the monarch.[215]
Stela 199.10.19.15.013 August 652Chan Imix K'awiilCopánHondurasPortrait of the monarch.[216][199]
Stela 20CopánHonduras
Stela 21CopánHonduras
Stela 22CopánHonduras
Stela 23Chan Imix K'awiilCopánHonduras
Stela 29Yax Pasaj Chan YopaatCopánHonduras
Stela 34Ku IxCopánHondurasPortrait of the monarch.
Stela 63435K'inich Popol Hol orK'inich Yax K'uk' Mo'CopánHondurasThe stela's sculpture consists purely of finely carved hieroglyphic texts and it is possible that it was originally commissioned with additional texts added to the sides of the monument. The stela was deliberately broken, together with its hieroglyphic step, during the ritual demolishing of the Papagayo phase of Temple 26.[217]
Stela A9.15.0.3.0.19 October 731Uaxaclajuun Ub'aah K'awiilCopánHondurasThe stela places his rulership among the four most powerful kingdoms in the Maya region, alongside Palenque, Tikal and Calakmul.[218][219][220][221]
Stela B8th centuryUaxaclajuun Ub'aah K'awiilCopánHondurasPortrait of the monarch.[221]
Stela C8th centuryUaxaclajuun Ub'aah K'awiilCopánHondurasPortrait of the monarch.[222][221]
Stela D9.15.5.0.024 July 736Uaxaclajuun Ub'aah K'awiilCopánHondurasPortrait of the monarch.[223][221]
Stela E9.5.10.0.011 May 544Uaxaclajuun Ub'aah K'awiilCopánHondurasPortrait of the monarch.[224][221]
Stela F9.14.10.0.213 October 721Uaxaclajuun Ub'aah K'awiilCopánHondurasPortrait of the monarch.[225][221]
Stela G8th-centuryUaxaclajuun Ub'aah K'awiilCopánHondurasPortrait of the monarch.[221]
Stela H9.14.19.5.05 December 730Uaxaclajuun Ub'aah K'awiilCopánHondurasPortrait of the monarch.[226][221]
Stela I8.6.0.0.0
8.6.0.10.8
16 December 159 CE
11 July 160 CE
CopánHonduras[227]
Stela J9.13.3.6.87 July 695Uaxaclajuun Ub'aah K'awiilCopánHondurasThis stela was first monument of the monarch's reign.[228][229][230][221]
Stela M756K'ak' Yipyaj Chan K'awiilCopánHondurasPortraits of the monarch.
Stela N761K'ak' Yipyaj Chan K'awiilCopánHonduras[231]
Stela P623K'ak' Chan YopaatCopánHondurasHieroglyphic text.
Element 19Corona, LaGuatemalaPortrait of a queen.
Stela 1Corona, LaGuatemalaHieroglyphic text.
Panel 19.12.5.7.425 October 677K'inich YookCorona, LaGuatemala
Panel 69.14.19.17.1818 August 731Corona, LaGuatemalaArrival of two princesses fromCalakmul toLa Corona.
StelaCorozal (Santa Rita)GuatemalaPortrait ofK'inich Muwaan Jol, King of Tikal.
Stela 1CozumelMexicoPortrait of a lord.
Stela 2CozumelMexicoDepiction ofChaak, the god of the rain.
Stela 1Dos CaobasGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch and a captive.
Stela 2Dos CaobasGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch and a servant.
Stela 3736Ucha'an K'in BahlamDos PilasGuatemalaPortrait of the monarch.
Stela 5Ucha'an K'in BahlamDos PilasGuatemala
Stela 8Dos PilasGuatemalaHieroglyphic text describing the life ofItzamnaaj K'awiil
Stela 16736Ucha'an K'in BahlamDos PilasGuatemalaPortrait ofYich'aak Bahlam ofEl Ceibal.
Lintel 19K'awiil Chan K'inichDos PilasGuatemala
Stela 9DzibilchaltunGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch.
Stela 19DzibilchaltunGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch.
Stela 19.14.9.17.1910 October 721EdznaMexico
Stela 29.15.0.0.020 August 731EdznaMexico
Stela 39.14.0.0.03 December 711EdznaMexico
Stela 5790EdznaMexico
Stela 610.1.0.0.028 November 849EdznaMexico
Stela 9810EdznaMexico
Stela 189.12.0.0.0 (front)
9.13.0.0.0 (back)
29 June 672 (front)
16 March 692 (back)
EdznaMexico
Stela 209.16.6.5.014 July 757EdznaMexico
Stela 219.11.10.0.021 August 662EdznaMexico
Stela 229.11.0.0.012 October 652EdznaMexico
Stela 239.10.0.0.025 January 633EdznaMexico
StelaUkit Kan Leʼk TokʼEk' BalamMexicoPortrait of the monarch
Stela 1Encanto, ElMexicoPortraits ofK'inich Ehb andSihyaj Chan K'awiil, kings ofTikal.
Stela 19.18.0.0.09 October 790Florida, LaGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch.
Stela 5Florida, LaGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch.
Stela 69.11.0.0.012 October 652Florida, LaGuatemala
Stela 79.16.15.0.017 February 766Ka'hk Chan YopaatFlorida, LaGuatemalaPortrait of the monarch.
Stela 89.12.5.0.03 June 677Bahlam K'awiilFlorida, LaGuatemala
Stela 99.15.0.0.020 August 731Ka'hk Chan YopaatFlorida, LaGuatemalaPortrait of the monarch's mother,Lady Chaak, performing a ritual.
Stela 169.17.15.0.04 November 785Florida, LaGuatemalaPortrait of a queen, probably an elderlyLady Chaak.
Stela 1Honradez, LaGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch (given the long skirt, probably a queen).[232]
Stela 2Honradez, LaGuatemalaLower fragment of the stela, with only a visible foot, and hieroglyphic text.[232]
Stela 3Honradez, LaGuatemalaBadly preserved portrait of a monarch.[232]
Stela 4Honradez, LaGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch.[232]
Stela 5Honradez, LaGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch.[232]
Stela 6Honradez, LaGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch.[232]
Stela 7Honradez, LaGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch.[232]
Stela 9Honradez, LaGuatemalaFragment with hieroglyphic text.[232]
Stela 3Horcones, LosGuatemala
Lintel 1IkilMexico
Lintel 2IkilMexico
Stela 1ItzimteMexicoPortraits of unknown monarchs.[233]
Stela 3ItzimteMexico[233]
Stela 4ItzimteMexico[233]
Stela 5ItzimteMexico[233]
Stela 6ItzimteMexico[233]
Stela 7ItzimteMexico[233]
Stela 8ItzimteMexico[233]
Stela 9ItzimteMexico[233]
Stela 10ItzimteMexico[233]
Stela 11ItzimteMexico[233]
Stela 12ItzimteMexico[233]
Lintel 1ItzimteMexico[233]
Stela 19.18.0.0.011 October 790Rabbit God KIxkunGuatemalaThe stela bears the images of the monarch and another visiting king,Ch'iyel of Sacul. The text of suggests that Rabbit God K's mother,Lady Ik, was originally from another city named asAkbal, which has yet to be identified.[234]
Stela 2Eight SkullIxkunGuatemalaRecords two battles, one againstSacul on 21 December 779 and the other againstUcanal on 10 May 780. The text namesEight Skull, the predecessor of Rabbit God K. The text is incomplete but this ruler has been nicknamed "Eight Skull" by epigraphers, and he is believed to have dedicated the monument.[234][235]
Stela 3Rabbit God KIxkunGuatemalaOnly the upper half of the stela remains. The monument is badly eroded and it lacks any surviving hieroglyphic text; it is sculpted with the image of a ruler facing towards the left, the figure is bearing aGod K sceptre, one of the symbols of rulership. Possibly dedicated by Rabbit God K.[236][237]
Stela 4Rabbit God KIxkunGuatemalaThe stela bears ruler wielding a God K sceptre; a war captive is depicted underneath the ruler's image.Due to the similarity of the ruler's image and the similar dating to Stela 1, Stela 4 is believed to have been dedicated by Rabbit God K.[238][239][234]
Stela 5c.800Rabbit God KIxkunGuatemalaThe main figure on the stela is depicted carrying a staff of rulership in the left hand while the right hand scatters drops of blood or some other substance. The ruler is depicted wearing an elaborate feathered headdress in the form of the head of ajaguar or apuma. The ruler is richly decorated with jewellery including earspools, necklace and a chest ornament.[240][241]
Stela 8IxkunGuatemala
Stela 10IxkunGuatemala
Stela 12Eight SkullIxkunGuatemalaThe stela may have been reused in the construction of the final phase of Structure 10 It bears a hieroglyphic text divided into two columns, but, unfortunately, the text is too eroded to be read with precision.[234][242]
Stela 1879IxluGuatemala
Stela 2IxluGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch.
Stela 2IxtontonGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch.
Stela 1Aj Yaxjal B’aakIxtutzGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch.[243][244]
Stela 2Aj Yaxjal B’aakIxtutzGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch.[243][245]
Stela 3Aj Yaxjal B’aakIxtutzGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch.[243][246]
Stela 49.17.9.17.1828 November 780Aj Yaxjal B’aakIxtutzGuatemalaHieroglyphic inscriptions.[243][247][248]
Stela 5IxtutzGuatemala
Stela 6IxtutzGuatemala
Stela 7IxtutzGuatemala
Panel 1IxtutzGuatemalaOnly fragments remain of the panel.[243]
Stela 1IzapaGuatemalaMythological scenes.
Stela 2IzapaGuatemala
Stela 5IzapaGuatemala
Stela 21IzapaGuatemala
Stela 25IzapaGuatemala
Stela 50IzapaGuatemala
Stela 1JimbalGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch.
Stela 1485Chan AhkJoyanca, LaGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch.
JambKabahMexicoPortrait of a monarch.
StelaKaminaljuyuGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch.
Lintel 19.15.15.0.01 June 743Knot-Eye JaguarLacanhaMexicoPortrait of a monarch.
Stela 19.15.5.1.1427 August 736LaxtunichGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch.
Panel 1LaxtunichGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch.
Stela 2Aj Ho' BaakMachaquilaGuatemala
Stela 3Sihyaj K'in Ich’aak IIMachaquilaGuatemalaPortrait of the monarch.
Stela 4Sihyaj K'in Ich’aak IIMachaquilaGuatemala
Stela 5Juun Tsak-TookMachaquilaGuatemala
Stela 6Juun Tsak-TookMachaquilaGuatemala
Stela 7Juun Tsak-TookMachaquilaGuatemala
Stela 8Juun Tsak-TookMachaquilaGuatemala
Stela 10Ets'nab ChaakMachaquilaGuatemala
Stela 11Ets'nab ChaakMachaquilaGuatemala
Stela 12Ets'nab ChaakMachaquilaGuatemala
Stela 13Sihyaj K'in Ich'aak IMachaquilaGuatemala
Stela 18Chaak BahlamMachaquilaGuatemala
Stela 1Mar, LaMexicoPortrait of a monarch.
Stela 2Mar, LaMexicoPortrait of a monarch.
Stela 2Mirador, ElGuatemalaHieroglyphic text
Stela 2Montura, LaGuatemalaHieroglyphic text
Stela 1756Wochan K'awiilMoral ReformaMexicoPortrait of the monarch
Stela 2711Moral ReformaMexicoPortrait of a monarch with a captive.
Stela 18th centuryMotul de San JoséGuatemalaA text describing an accession to the throne of a monarch under supervision ofJasaw Chan K'awiil I ofTikal
Stela 2Yajaw Te' K'inichMotul de San JoséGuatemalaPortrait of the king; the stela also depicts dancing figures on its east face. On its west face it depicts a figure sculpted using the so-called X-ray style found on Ik-style ceramics, which depicts the face in profile wearing a mask that has been cut away to show the face underneath.[249][250]
Stela 3Motul de San JoséGuatemala[251]
Stela 4Yajaw Te' K'inichMotul de San JoséGuatemalaThe stela shows king Yajawte' K'inich performing a dance, with one foot raised[249]
Stela 5Motul de San JoséGuatemalaStela with hieroglyphic inscriptions.[251]
Stela 6Motul de San JoséGuatemalaThe stela was fragmented and then pieced together in part; it shows the portrait of a monarch of the city dressed in rich clothing and regalia. The figure was positioned performing a dance, with one foot half lifted off the ground. In his right hand the ruler held aGod K sceptre. It is dated to the Late Postclassic period.[252]
Stela 189.11.0.0.0 or 9.15.10.0.012 October 652 or 28 June 741NaachtunGuatemalaPortrait of a female monarch (possibly wife of the monarch on stela 19), standing above a captive fromCalakmul.
Stela 19NaachtunGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch
Stela 26Kʼan Chitam ofTikalNaachtunGuatemalaPortrait ofLady Tzutz, the monarch's wife.
Stela 1Kʼakʼ Tiliw Chan ChaakNaranjoGuatemala
Stela 29.14.1.3.1813 February 713Kʼakʼ Tiliw Chan ChaakNaranjoGuatemalaPortrait of the monarch
Stela 39.14.1.3.1813 February 713Kʼakʼ Tiliw Chan ChaakNaranjoGuatemalaPortrait ofWak Chanil Ajaw, mother of the monarch.
Stela 6K'ahk' Ukalaw Chan Chaak
Stela 7Itzamnaaj K'awiilNaranjoGuatemala
Stela 8Itzamnaaj K'awiilNaranjoGuatemala
Stela 10Itzamnaaj K'awiilNaranjoGuatemalaHieroglyphic text.
Stela 11K'ahk' Ukalaw Chan ChaakNaranjoGuatemala
Stela 12Itzamnaaj K'awiilNaranjoGuatemala
Stela 13K'ahk' Ukalaw Chan ChaakNaranjoGuatemala
Stela 14Itzamnaaj K'awiilNaranjoGuatemala
Stela 15Aj Wosal Chan K'inichNaranjoGuatemala
Stela 16Aj Wosal Chan K'inichNaranjoGuatemala
Stela 17Aj Wosal Chan K'inichNaranjoGuatemala
Stela 189.14.14.17.1914 September 726Kʼakʼ Tiliw Chan ChaakNaranjoGuatemalaPortrait ofWak Chanil Ajaw, mother of the monarch.
Stela 19K'ahk' Ukalaw Chan ChaakNaranjoGuatemala
Stela 20K'ak' Yipiiy Chan ChaakNaranjoGuatemala
Stela 219.13.14.4.024 March 706Kʼakʼ Tiliw Chan ChaakNaranjoGuatemalaThe stela celebrates the victory of Kʼakʼ Tiliw Chan Chaak overYootz.
Stela 229.13.9.17.1923 January 702Kʼakʼ Tiliw Chan ChaakNaranjoGuatemala
Stela 239.13.18.4.1619 March 710Kʼakʼ Tiliw Chan ChaakNaranjoGuatemala
Stela 249.13.9.17.1923 January 702Kʼakʼ Tiliw Chan ChaakNaranjoGuatemalaPortrait ofWak Chanil Ajaw, mother of the monarch, then still his regent. The queen is portrayed over a prisoner, the kingKinichil Kab ofUcanal. The text mentions the queen's arrival at Naranjo on 30 August 682.
Stela 25Aj Wosal Chan K'inichNaranjoGuatemalaCommemoration of the ascension of the monarch, which had the supervision ofK'altuun Hix, King of Dzibanche/Calakmul.
Stela 26Kʼakʼ Tiliw Chan ChaakNaranjoGuatemala
Stela 27Aj Wosal Chan K'inichNaranjoGuatemala
Stela 289.14.4.7.1313 April 716Kʼakʼ Tiliw Chan ChaakNaranjoGuatemalaThe stela records victories of the monarch.
Stela 299.14.3.0.017 November 714Kʼakʼ Tiliw Chan ChaakNaranjoGuatemalaPortrait ofWak Chanil Ajaw, mother of the monarch.
Stela 309.14.3.0.017 November 714Kʼakʼ Tiliw Chan ChaakNaranjoGuatemalaPortrait of the monarch. The stela also records a victory of Naranjo overSakha.
Stela 319.14.9.17.1910 October 721Kʼakʼ Tiliw Chan ChaakNaranjoGuatemalaPortrait ofWak Chanil Ajaw, mother of the monarch.
Stela 32NaranjoGuatemalaHieroglyphic text.
Stela 33K'ahk' Ukalaw Chan ChaakNaranjoGuatemala
Stela 35799Itzamnaaj K'awiilNaranjoGuatemalaThe stela records a victory overYaxha.
Stela 36K'ahk' Ukalaw Chan ChaakNaranjoGuatemalaHieroglyphic text.
Stela 38Aj Wosal Chan K'inichNaranjoGuatemala
Stela 409.14.9.17.1910 October 721Kʼakʼ Tiliw Chan ChaakNaranjoGuatemalaPortrait of the monarch.
Stela 41Aj Wosal Chan K'inichNaranjoGuatemala
Stela 469.14.14.17.1914 September 726Kʼakʼ Tiliw Chan ChaakNaranjoGuatemalaPortrait of the monarch.
Stela 19.14.14.17.1813 September 726Nim Li PunitBelizePortrait of a monarch
Stela 29.14.15.4.1216 December 726Nim Li PunitBelizePortrait of a monarch.
Stela 7Nim Li PunitBelizePortraits of two rulers.
Stela 149.17.19.17.187 October 790Nim Li PunitBelizePortrait of a monarch.
Stela 15Nim Li PunitBelizePortrait of a monarch.
Stela 21Nim Li PunitBelizePortrait of a monarch.
Stela 23780Nim Li PunitBelizePortrait of a monarch
Stela 1Ojo de AguaMexicoHieroglyphic text.
Stela 3OxkintokMexicoDepicts probably a ritual.
Stela 9OxkintokMexicoPortrait of a monarch dancing, or performing a ritual.
JambOxkintokMexicoPortrait of a monarch.
Stela 6PacbitunBelizePortrait of a monarch.
Stela ofMadridPalenqueMexicoPortrait of a monarch.
StelaPalenqueMexicoFragmented stela that shows the bottom part of a portrait of a monarch.
StelaPalenqueMexicoFragmented stela that shows the upper part of a portrait of a monarch.
Lintel 1Pasadita, LaGuatemalaThe lintel showsYaxun Bahlam IV ofYaxchilan, with a captive.
Lintel 29.16.15.0.017 February 766TiloomPasadita, LaGuatemalaPortrait of the monarch, withYaxun Bahlam IV ofYaxchilan.
Stela 11672Lady K'abel andK'inich BahlamPerú, ElGuatemalaPortrait of the male monarch.
Stela 12672Lady K'abel andK'inich BahlamPerú, ElGuatemalaPortrait of the female monarch, who came fromCalakmul and had a superior title than her husband.
Stela 158.19.0.0.023 March 416Perú, ElGuatemalaThe monument contains onlyMaya glyphs. Stanley Gunter dates the stela to 416. The monument contains the names of rulers back until the mid 4th century. The monument also describes how a foreign war leader Siyaj K'ahk, orSiyaj K'ak' came to Waka' during January of 378. According toepigrapherDavid Stuart (Mayanist), this stela supports the idea of Siyaj K'ahk' traveling through Waka' roughly eight days before taking overTikal's government.[253][254]
Stela 16Perú, ElGuatemalaThe monument shows a man wearing a headdress and royal outfit similar to rulers ofTeotihuacan. The man holds a bird-headed staph on his right and a bundle on his left.David Freidel suggests the bird head is a symbol for "Spearthrower Owl." This was one name used for a certain king ofTeotihuacan, and the father of Siyaj K'ahk'. Epigrapher Stanley Guenter deciphered part of theMaya script on Stela 16 and believes it says "planted [his] banner stone, Siyaj K'ahk". Freidel thinks this monument is a depiction of the war leader many years after he had traveled through Waka'.[254]
Stela 18682Lady K'abel andK'inich BahlamPerú, ElGuatemalaPortrait of the male monarch.
Stela 20682Lady K'abel andK'inich BahlamPerú, ElGuatemalaPortrait of the female monarch.
Stela 30Mah-Kina BahlamPerú, ElGuatemalaThe text ofstela 30 describes the contact of the monarch and his wife to the king Jaguar-Paw, ofCalakmul. The stela says they participated, along with other kings from western kingdoms, in the ritual of accession for Jaguar-Paw. One of these kings may have included Flint-Sky-God K ofDos Pilas, well known for his many captives. The stela describes how Mah-Kina-Balam and his wife were a part of the period-ending rites and displayed the God Kscepter to Jaguar-Paw. Stela 30 also gives proof of Jaguar-Paw's visits to El Perú.[255]
Stela 33692Lady K'abel andK'inich BahlamPerú, ElGuatemalaPortrait of the male monarch.
Stela 34692Lady K'abel andK'inich BahlamPerú, ElGuatemalaPortrait of the female monarch, described as a lady warlord.[256]
Stela 43702Perú, ElGuatemalaThe text shown mentions a queen namedIkoom, that came fromCalakmul.
Stela 1September 706K'inich Yo'nal Ahk IIPiedras NegrasGuatemalaPortrait ofLady K'atun Ajaw of Namaan, wife of the monarch.
Stela 2September 706K'inich Yo'nal Ahk IIPiedras NegrasGuatemala
Stela 3711K'inich Yo'nal Ahk IIPiedras NegrasGuatemalaPortraits of the monarch (front), and ofLady K'atun Ajaw of Namaan (the monarch's wife) and three-year old daughter of the couple,Lady Juntan Ahk (back). Hieroglyphic text.
Stela 4711K'inich Yo'nal Ahk IIPiedras NegrasGuatemala
Stela 5K'inich Yo'nal Ahk IIPiedras NegrasGuatemala
Stela 6K'inich Yo'nal Ahk IIPiedras NegrasGuatemala
Stela 79.15.0.0.020 August 731K'inich Yo'nal Ahk IIPiedras NegrasGuatemalaPortraits of the monarch, standing, with a captive.[257]
Stela 89.14.14.9.1918 March 726K'inich Yo'nal Ahk IIPiedras NegrasGuatemala[258]
Stela 99.15.5.3.135 October 736Itzam K'an Ahk IIPiedras NegrasGuatemala[259]
Stela 10Itzam K'an Ahk IIPiedras NegrasGuatemala
Stela 119.15.0.0.222 August 731Itzam K'an Ahk IIPiedras NegrasGuatemalaPortrait of the monarch enthroned.[260]
Stela 129.18.5.0.215 September 795K'inich Yat Ahk IIPiedras NegrasGuatemalaThe monarch receives two war chieftains, who bring him captives.[261]
Stela 13Ha' K'in XookPiedras NegrasGuatemala
Stela 14Yo'nal Ahk IIIPiedras NegrasGuatemala
Stela 15K'inich Yat Ahk IIPiedras NegrasGuatemala
Stela 16Yo'nal Ahk IIIPiedras NegrasGuatemala
Stela 18Ha' K'in XookPiedras NegrasGuatemala
Stela 22Itzam K'an Ahk IIPiedras NegrasGuatemala
Stela 23Ha' K'in XookPiedras NegrasGuatemala
Stela 25K'inich Yo'nal Ahk IPiedras NegrasGuatemala
Stela 269.9.11.12.311 November 624K'inich Yo'nal Ahk IPiedras NegrasGuatemalaPortrait of the monarch, standing, with a captive.[262]
Stela 29Piedras NegrasGuatemalaHieroglyphic text.
Stela 31K'inich Yo'nal Ahk IPiedras NegrasGuatemala
Stela 32Piedras NegrasGuatemala
Stela 33Itzam K'an Ahk IPiedras NegrasGuatemala
Stela 34Itzam K'an Ahk IPiedras NegrasGuatemala
Stela 359.11.10.0.021 August 662Itzam K'an Ahk IPiedras NegrasGuatemalaPortrait of the monarch, standing, with a captive.[263]
Stela 36Itzam K'an Ahk IPiedras NegrasGuatemalaHieroglyphic text.
Stela 37Itzam K'an Ahk IPiedras NegrasGuatemala
Stela 38Itzam K'an Ahk IPiedras NegrasGuatemala
Stela 39Itzam K'an Ahk IPiedras NegrasGuatemala
Stela 40746Itzam K'an Ahk IIPiedras NegrasGuatemala
Lintel 1K'inich Yat Ahk IIPiedras NegrasGuatemala
Lintel 2658Itzam K'an Ahk IPiedras NegrasGuatemalaCommemoration of the death ofYo'nal Ahk II.
Lintel 3K'inich Yat Ahk IIPiedras NegrasGuatemala[264]
Lintel 4Itzam K'an Ahk IPiedras NegrasGuatemalaPortrait of the monarch, with captives.[265]
Lintel 7Itzam K'an Ahk IPiedras NegrasGuatemala
Lintel 12514Piedras Negras Ruler CPiedras NegrasGuatemala[266]
Lintel 15K'inich Yo'nal Ahk IIPiedras NegrasGuatemala
Stela 1PixoyMexicoPortraits of unknown monarchs.[267]
Stela 2PixoyMexico[268]
Stela 3PixoyMexico[269]
Stela 4PixoyMexico[270]
Stela 5PixoyMexico[271]
StelaPlan de AyutlaMexicoPortrait of a monarch.
StelaPlanchón del ReyMexicoPortrait of a monarch.
Stela 1Poco Uinic (Santa Elena)Mexico
Stela 2Poco Uinic (Santa Elena)Mexico
Stela 39.17.19.13.1617 July 790Poco Uinic (Santa Elena)Mexico
Monument 1Poco Uinic (Santa Elena)Mexico
Monument 2Poco Uinic (Santa Elena)Mexico
Monument 3Poco Uinic (Santa Elena)Mexico
StelaPomonaMexicoPortrait of the queenK'an Bolon.
Stela CPusilhaBelizePortrait of a monarch.
Stela DRuler B of PusilhaPusilhaBelizePortrait of the monarch.
Stela ERuler G of PusilhaPusilhaBelizePortrait of the monarch andBahlam Nehn of Copán.
Stela FPusilhaBelize
Stela HRuler C of PusilhaPusilhaBelize
Stela KRuler C of PusilhaPusilhaBelizePortrait of the monarch.
Stela MRuler E of PusilhaPusilhaBelize
Stela ORuler B of PusilhaPusilhaBelize
Stela P9.17.0.0.05 December 573Ruler A of PusilhaPusilhaBelizePortrait of a monarch. Text referring to an event on 17 June 571, implying that the kingdom was founded shortly before the beginning of the Late Classic period.[272][273]
Stela Q9.8.0.0.628 August 593Ruler B of PusilhaPusilhaBelize
Stela URuler X1 of PusilhaPusilhaBelize
Stela 1K'ak' Tiliw Chan YopaatQuiriguáGuatemala
Stela A9.17.5.0.229 December 775K'ak' Tiliw Chan YopaatQuiriguáGuatemalaForms a pair with Stela C.[274][275]
Stela C9.17.5.0.229 December 775K'ak' Tiliw Chan YopaatQuiriguáGuatemalaThe hieroglyphic text contains references to 455 andTutuum Yohl K'inich, an early king.< The stela also bears a reference to the date 13.0.0.0.0 4 Ahaw 8 Kumk'u (13 August 3114 BC). This date is recorded throughout the entire Maya area as the beginning of the current creation, when the deities were placed in order. Stela C forms a pair with Stela A and was dedicated on the same date.[276][274][277][278][275]
Stela D766K'ak' Tiliw Chan YopaatQuiriguáGuatemalaIt is distinguished by the relatively rare, extravagant, full-figureanthropomorphic versions of Maya hieroglyphics on the upper parts of its sides, which are particularly well preserved.[274]
Stela E9.17.0.0.224 January 771K'ak' Tiliw Chan YopaatQuiriguáGuatemalaPortrait of the monarch on the stela's front and back. This stela is the largest stone ever quarried by the ancient Maya, may even be the largest free-standing workedmonolith in theNew World.[56][279][280]
Stela F761K'ak' Tiliw Chan YopaatQuiriguáGuatemalaPortrait of the monarch on the stela's north and south sides and hieroglyphic inscriptions on its east and west sides.[281][279]
Stela H751K'ak' Tiliw Chan YopaatQuiriguáGuatemalaIts glyphs are arranged in a rare mat pattern, copied from Copán. The stela is executed in the wrap-around style.A flint blade was found buried under the stela butt, buried as an offering when the stela was dedicated. The hieroglyphic inscriptions are badly damaged.[282][279][283][284]
Stela IQuiriguáGuatemala
Stela J756K'ak' Tiliw Chan YopaatQuiriguáGuatemala
Stela K9.18.15.0.624 July 805Jade SkyQuiriguáGuatemalaLast and smallest stela constructed at Quiriguá. Depicts a beardlessJade Sky, ruler of Quiriguá and aGod K shield emblem on the opposite side. Its small size is reflective of the city's decline.[285]
Stela S746K'ak' Tiliw Chan YopaatQuiriguáGuatemalaPortrait of the monarch on the front, the other three sides being covered by hieroglyphic text. Unfortunately, due to the heavy erosion most of the text is illegible.[286][287]
Stela T692QuiriguáGuatemalaThe stela is a badly eroded schist sculpture bearing mostly unreadable glyphs accompanying a poorly preserved figure. The stela is conservative in style, being similar to the much older Stela U.[288]
Stela U9.2.5.0.218 April 480Turtle ShellQuiriguáGuatemalaHeavily eroded portrait of the monarch, extending over three sides of the stela. This style originated in Tikal and indicates contact with the central Petén region. This stela has an identifiable date, and references a ritual that was supervised by the king of Copán.[289]
Stela 19.16.10.0.017 March 761Ch'iyelSaculGuatemalaThe earliest dated monument known from the city. The text refers a participation of the monarch in a bloodletting ceremony.[290][291]
Stela 29.18.0.0.011 October 790Ch'iyelSaculGuatemalaCommemoration of the visit of the monarch to Ixkun. Portraits of the monarch and the king of Ixkun,Rabbit God K, facing each other and holding staves of rulership, with a prisoner in a panel beneath their feet.[292]
Stela 3SaculGuatemalaThe stela bears hieroglyphic inscriptions. Although now largely illegible, it is evident that a number of calendrical dates were included.[290]
Stela 4SaculGuatemalaPlain monuments fashioned from fossiliferous limestone.
Stela 5SaculGuatemala
Stela 69th century
(full date incomplete)
SaculGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch accompanied by ahieroglyphic text.[293]
Stela 7SaculGuatemalaPlain monuments fashioned from fossiliferous limestone.
Stela 8SaculGuatemala
Stela 99.18.0.0.011 October 790Ch'iyelSaculGuatemalaPortrait of the monarch.[293][294]
Stela 109.18.10.0.028 August 800SaculGuatemalaThe stela is the latest monument erected in the city[295]
Stela 12SaculGuatemalaPlain monument fashioned from fossiliferous limestone.
Stela 1Santa ElenaMexico
Stela 4SayilMexicoPortrait of a monarch.
Stela 5SayilMexicoPortrait of a monarch.
Stela 9SayilMexicoPortrait of a monarch.
Stela 2Takalik AbajGuatemala
Stela 5Takalik AbajGuatemala
Stela 14Takalik AbajGuatemala
Stela 18Takalik AbajGuatemala
Stela 53Takalik AbajGuatemala
Stela 55Takalik AbajGuatemala
Stela 4TamarinditoGuatemalaHieroglyphic text.
Stela 15th centurySihyaj Chan Kʼawiil IITikalGuatemalaPortrait of the monarch, standing.[296]
Stela 2K'an ChitamTikalGuatemala
Stela 3Chak Tok Ichʼaak IITikalGuatemalaHieroglyphic text.
Stela 4396Yax Nuun Ayiin ITikalGuatemalaIt is dated after the intrusion of Teotihuacan in the Maya area. The stela displays a mix of Maya and Teotihuacan qualities, and deities from both cultures. It has a portrait of the monarch with the Underworld Jaguar God under one arm and the Mexican Tlaloc under the other. His helmet is a simplified version of the Teotihuacan War Serpent. Unusually for Maya sculpture, but typically for Teotihuacan, the monarch is depicted with a frontal face, rather than in profile.[297][298]
Stela 5744Yik'in Chan K'awiilTikalGuatemala[299]
Stela 6514Yo K'in andKaloomteʼ BahlamTikalGuatemalaBadly damaged monument bearing the name of the "Lady of Tikal" who celebrated the end of the 4th K'atun in that year.[300]
Stela 7Chak Tok Ichʼaak IITikalGuatemala
Stela 8Bird ClawTikalGuatemala
Stela 9Kʼan ChitamTikalGuatemala
Stela 106th-centuryYo K'in andKaloomteʼ BahlamTikalGuatemalaBadly damaged. It described the accession of Kaloomte' Bahlam in the early 6th century and earlier events in his career, including the capture of a prisoner depicted on the monument.[301]
Stela 11869Jasaw Chan K'awiil IITikalGuatemalaLast monument ever erected at Tikal.[122][302]
Stela 129.4.13.0.09 August 527Yo K'in andKaloomteʼ BahlamTikalGuatemalaThe queen is described as performing the year-ending rituals but the monument was dedicated in honor of the king.[303]
Stela 13Kʼan ChitamTikalGuatemala
Stela 15Chak Tok Ichʼaak IITikalGuatemala
Stela 169.14.0.1.023 December 711Jasaw Chan K'awiil ITikalGuatemalaPortrait of the monarch and a hieroglyphic text in the front face of the monument.[299]
Stela 179.6.3.9.1515 September 557Wak Chan K'awiilTikalGuatemalaPortrait of the monarch.
Stela 188.18.0.0.06 July 396Yax Nuun Ayiin ITikalGuatemalaCelebration of thek'atun-ending of 396.[304]
Stela 199.18.0.0.09 October 790Yax Nuun Ayiin IITikalGuatemala[299]
Stela 209.16.0.0.07 May 751Yik'in Chan K'awiilTikalGuatemala[305]
Stela 219.15.5.0.024 July 736Yik'in Chan K'awiilTikalGuatemalaOnly the bottom of the stela is intact, the rest having been mutilated in ancient times. The surviving sculpture is of fine quality, consisting of the feet of a figure and of accompanying hieroglyphic text. The stela is associated with Altar 9.[299][305]
Stela 229.17.0.0.022 January 771Yax Nuun Ayiin IITikalGuatemalaProbably a portrait of the monarch. The face of the figure has been mutilated.[299][305]
Stela 236th centuryLady Yo K'in andKaloomteʼ BahlamTikalGuatemalaDefaced portrait of the queen called "Lady of Tikal", a daughter of Chak Tok Ich'aak II who became queen at the age of six but never ruled in her own right, being paired with male co-rulers.[300]
Stela 249.19.0.0.026 June 810Dark SunTikalGuatemalaBroken into fragments in ancient times, although the name of Dark Sun survives on three fragments.[306]
Stela 259.4.3.0.030 September 517Lady Yo K'in andKaloomteʼ BahlamTikalGuatemalaPortrait of the queen.
Stela 26Chak Tok Ichʼaak ITikalGuatemalaBroken, probably at the beginning of the Late Classic. Its remains were then interred within the temple shrine.[307][308]
Stela 279.3.0.0.028 January 495Chak Tok Ichʼaak ITikalGuatemala
Stela 28Kʼinich Muwaan Jol and/orSihyaj Chan Kʼawiil IITikalGuatemala
Stela 298.12.14.8.156 July 292Foliated JaguarTikalGuatemalaThe earliest surviving Long Count date from the Maya lowlands. The stela is also the earliest monument to bear the Tikal emblem glyph. It bears a portrait of the monarch facing to the right, holding the head of an underworld jaguar god, one of the patron deities of the city. The stela was deliberately smashed during the 6th century or some time later, the upper portion was dragged away and dumped in a rubbish tip close to Temple III, to be uncovered by archeologists in 1959.[309][310][311]
Stela 309.13.0.0.016 March 692Jasaw Chan Kʼawiil ITikalGuatemalaFirst surviving monument to be erected after the Hiatus. Its style and iconography is similar to that of Caracol, one of the more important of Tikal's enemies.[299][312]
Stela 319.0.10.0.017 October 445Siyaj Chan K'awiil IITikalGuatemalaThe accession monument of the monarch, which bears two portraits of his father,Yax Nuun Ayiin I, as a youth dressed as a Teotihuacan warrior.He carries a spearthrower in one hand and bears a shield decorated with the face ofTlaloc, the Teotihuacanwar god. The stela has been described as the greatest Early Classic sculpture to survive at Tikal. A long hieroglyphic text is carved onto the back of the monument, the longest to survive from the Early Classic, which describes the arrival of Siyah K'ak' atEl Perú and Tikal in January 378. It was also the first stela at Tikal to be carved on all four faces.[313][314][315][316][317]
Stela 32TikalGuatemalaFragmented monument with a foreign Teotihuacan-style sculpture apparently depicting the lord of that city with the attributes of the central Mexican storm god Tlaloc, including his goggle eyes and tasselled headdress.[318]
Stela 398.17.0.0.019 October 376Chak Tok Ich'aak ITikalGuatemalaA broken monument that was erected in the Lost World complex. The upper portion of the stela is missing but the lower portion shows the lower body and legs of the monarch, holding a flint axe in his left hand. He is trampling the figure of a bound, richly dressed captive. The text on the back of the monument describes a bloodletting ritual to celebrate aKatun-ending. The stela also names the monarch's father as K'inich Muwaan Jol.[319][309]
Stela 409.1.13.0.018 June 468Kʼan ChitamTikalGuatemalaPortrait of the monarch.[320]
Stela 43TikalGuatemalaA plain monument, paired with Altar 35.[321]
Stela 110.0.0.0.013 March 830TilaMexicoPortrait of a monarch.
Stela 29.12.13.0.022 April 685TilaMexico
Stela 39.13.0.0.016 March 692TilaMexico
StelaTonaláMexicoPortrait of a monarch/warrior/god.
Stela 16th centuryB'alam Ya AcalTonináMexicoPortrait of the monarch.
Stela (?)10.3.12.9.63 September 901TonináMexicoPortrait of a monarch.[322]
Monument 3688K'inich Baaknal ChaakTonináMexicoIt is a statue, broken into various fragments, but is largely complete and only lightly eroded. Represents the monarch with inscriptions describing his accession and the promotion of Aj Ch'aaj Naah to the priesthood .[70]
Monument 5TonináMexicoThe stela depicts a badly eroded life-size human statue with the head missing.[61]
Monument 7728K'inich Ich'aak ChapatTonináMexicoThe stela was carved from yellow sandstone and suffered only minor damage. It is a stela base with well-preserved hieroglyphs on all four vertical sides[323]
Monument 8682Ruler 2 of TonináTonináMexicoThe stela shows the presentation of three war captives to the monarch.[324]
Monument 12672Ruler 2 of TonináTonináMexicoThe stela is a sculpture carved in the round, representing the monarch.[324]
Monument 27TonináMexicoThe stela is a carved step depictingK'awiil Mo', a lord fromPalenque, as an elderly prisoner, bound and lying on his back with his profile positioned in such a way as to be trodden on time and again.[325]
Monument 99TonináMexicoAn undated fragment that depicts a female captive, a rare theme in Maya art.[324]
Monument 101909TonináMexicoThis monument has the last Long Count date from any Maya monument, celebrating a K'atun ending.[326]
Monument 106593Ruler 1 of TonináTonináMexicoThis stela has the earliest securely dated monument at the site.[327]
Monument 113Ruler 2 of TonináTonináMexicoThe stela depicts the monarch participating in a scattering ritual.[324]
Monument 114794Ruler 8 of TonináTonináMexicoThe monument commemorates the death of an important noble, apparently a relative or vassal of Ruler 8's predecessorTuun Chapat.[328]
Monument 1229.13.19.13.328 August 711Ruler 4 of TonináTonináMexicoA low relief sculpture marking the defeat of Palenque by the monarch and the capture ofKan Joy Chitam II, who is depicted as a bound captive.[329][330]
Monument 141K'inich B'aaknal ChaakTonináMexicoThe stela is a very well preserved hieroglyphic panel carved from fine grained white limestone with almost the whole inscription intact. It describes the dedication of a ballcourt by the monarch.[331][332]
Monumrnt 154633K'inich Hix ChapatTonináMexicoThe stela records the installing of two subordinate lords by the monarch.[324]
Monument 158904Ruler 10 of TonináTonináMexico[333]
Stela 3TortugueroMexicoHieroglyphic text.
Stela 6TortugueroMexicoThis stela includes the only known inscription depicting the end of the 13-Bak'tun era in 2012.[334][335]
Stela 18.18.10.0.0 (front)
8.19.0.0.0 (back)
15 May 406 (front)
23 March 416 (back)
Tres IslasGuatemalaBadly damaged.[336]
Stela 28.18.14.15.0 (front)
9.2.0.0.0 (back)
18 February 411 (front)
13 May 475 (back)
Tres IslasGuatemalaIt was associated with an offering consisting of two ceramic vessels placed rim to rim; these contained 9jade figurines including representations of shells, a tortoise and a human head in profile, as well as pieces of coral and shells that included acowry.[337][338]
Stela 3400Tres IslasGuatemalaThe smallest of the three stelae. It is broken diagonally in two fragments. The stela depicts a personage dressed in the war-garb ofTeotihuacan and bearing three feathered darts in his left hand. The figure wears an elaborate feathered headdress with cheek guards, and a fan-shaped tail piece formed of feathers and the tails of three coyotes. The image of the warrior is very similar to the portrait ofTikal kingYax Nuun Ayiin I as depicted on Stela 31 of thatcity. Above the figure there is the image of a flying bird of a type commonly found on the monuments of the Pacific Coast, and the figure stands upon an image of ascarlet macaw, believed to be an identifying symbol of Tres Islas. The text of the stela is badly eroded, consisting of an introductory glyph and two columns of eight glyphs. The date recorded on the stela appears to equate to a date in 400.[339][340]
Stela 1TulumMexicoPortrait of one or two different monarchs.
Stela 2TulumMexicoPortrait of a monarch or a god.
StelaTzendalesMexicoPortrait of a monarch.
Stela 1TzumMexicoPortraits of unknown monarchs
Stela 2TzumMexico
Stela 3TzumMexico
Stela 4TzumMexico
Stela 5TzumMexico
Stela 6TzumMexico
Stela 1UaxactunGuatemalaHieroglyphic text.
Stela 2UaxactunGuatemala
Stela 3UaxactunGuatemalaReferences in text to a monarch,Wak Kab' Ajaw' ruling in 300 BCE.[341]
Stela 4396Sun ChargerUaxactunGuatemala[341]
Stela 5August 391Sun ChargerUaxactunGuatemalaPortrait of a warrior fromTeotihuacan, possibly K'ihnich Mo', a captain appointed to representSiyaj K'ak' of Tikal in the city. References in text to this ruler of Tikal.[341]
Stela 6UaxactunGuatemala
Stela 7UaxactunGuatemala
Stela 8UaxactunGuatemala
Stela 9UaxactunGuatemala
Stela 10UaxactunGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch.
Stela 11UaxactunGuatemala
Stela 12869UaxactunGuatemalaHieroglyphic text.
Stela 13UaxactunGuatemalaHieroglyphic text.
Stela 14702UaxactunGuatemala
Stela 15UaxactunGuatemala
Stela 16UaxactunGuatemala
Stela 17UaxactunGuatemalaHieroglyphic text.
Stela 188.16.0.0.01 February 357UaxactunGuatemala
Stela 19UaxactunGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch.
Stela 20UaxactunGuatemala
Stela 21UaxactunGuatemala
Stela 22UaxactunGuatemala
Stela 2UcanalGuatemalaPortraits of unknown monarchs.[342]
Stela 3UcanalGuatemala[343]
Stela 4UcanalGuatemala[344]
Stela 6UcanalGuatemala[345]
Stela 7UcanalGuatemalaHieroglyphic text.[346]
Stela 5UxbenkaBelizeThe carvings on this stela are deteriorated to the point that archaeologists have not been able to identify what the carvings depicted.[347]
Stela 6UxbenkaBelizeThis stela is missing its upper half, it appears that its upper half was broken off. Glyphs were found on this stela, which has been dated to the Late Classic period. Of those glyphs, one section reads “Hanab Pakal”, which has been translated to “flower shield”.[347]
Stela 118.18.0.0.06 July 396UxbenkaBelizeThis stela was found in three pieces. Similarly to Stela 6, Stela 11 is also missing its upper half. Stela 11 contains some of the more readable glyphs found in Uxbenka. Additional legible glyphs found on Stela 11 include a jaguar paw similar to one found on Tikal Stela 39. Iconography present on Stela 11 includes the lower half of an individual with both feet pointed in the same direction and a Double-Headed Serpent Bar. This indicated that this stela is from the Early Classic also, as it is a pose consistent with other Early Classic iconography.[347]
Stela 14UxbenkaBelizeStela 14 is not only the tallest of the stela at Uxbenka but also, “the tallest monument at Uxbenka”. Most of the inscriptions were eroded off by natural weathering processes. Faint outlines of a large Late Classic-style witz monster are nevertheless observable.[347]
Stela 159.17.10.0.030 November 780UxbenkaBelizeInscriptions on this stela that remain legible include the initial series introductory glyph (ISIG) and a long count date.[347]
Stela 18UxbenkaBelizeAlthough partly eroded, iconography on Stela 18 is interpreted to show an Early Classic ruler. Faint outlines of inscriptions are seen on Stela 18, but they are too eroded to read.[347]
Stela 199.17.11.0.025 November 781UxbenkaBelizeInscriptions on this stela are comparatively well preserved, with 35 glyphs legible. A partial long count date and introductory series initial glyph (ISIG) has been identified.<[347]
Stela 21UxbenkaBelizeOriginally only the left half of the stela was found. Similarly to Stela 11 and Stela 18, Stela 21 depicts a similar carving of an Early Classic ruler with a Double-Headed Serpent Bar. This carving helps date it to the Early Classic Period.[347]
Stela 22751UxbenkaBelizeSix severely eroded glyphs are found on one side of this stela. A possible date was suggested from a legible “Haab” glyph.[347]
Stela 1UxmalMexico
Stela 2UxmalMexicoPortrait of a monarch.
Stela 3UxmalMexicoPortrait of a monarch.
Stela 4UxmalMexicoPortrait of a monarch.
Stela 5UxmalMexico
Stela 6UxmalMexicoPortrait of a monarch.
Stela 7UxmalMexicoPortraits of two rulers.
Stela 8UxmalMexico
Stela 9UxmalMexicoHieroglyphic text.
Stela 10UxmalMexico
Stela 11UxmalMexicoPortrait of a monarch.
Stela 12UxmalMexicoPortrait of a monarch.
Stela 13UxmalMexico
Stela 14Kʼahkʼ Pulaj Chan ChaahkUxmalMexicoPortrait of the monarch.
Stela 15UxmalMexico
Stela 1710.3.6.0.01 April 895Kʼahkʼ Pulaj Chan ChaahkUxmalMexicoHieroglyphic text.
Stela 29.9.19.14.1925 November 632Lady Yajaw K'ahkUxulMexicoPortrait of the monarch.
Stela 39.9.19.14.1925 November 632Lady Yajaw K'ahkUxulMexicoPortrait of the monarch's husband.
Stela 69.11.7.10.1811 April 660Muyal ChaakUxulMexico
Stela 109.12.5.0.03 June 677Muyal ChaakUxulMexico
Stela 12662Muyal ChaakUxulMexicoPortrait of the monarch's wife.
Stela 13662Muyal ChaakUxulMexicoPortrait of the monarch.
StelaWajxaklajunGuatemala
Jamb 1XcalumkinMexicoHieroglyphic text.
Jamb 2XcalumkinMexicoPortraits of unknown rulers.
Jamb 3XcalumkinMexico
Jamb 4XcalumkinMexico
Jamb 5XcalumkinMexico
Jamb 6XcalumkinMexico
Jamb 7XcalumkinMexicoHieroglyphic text.
Jamb 8XcalumkinMexicoHieroglyphic text.
Jamb 9XcalumkinMexicoHieroglyphic text.
Stela 2Xtampak (Santa Rosa)MexicoLower fragment of a stela. A foot is visible, along with hieroglyphic text.
Stela 9Xtampak (Santa Rosa)MexicoPortrait of a monarch.
Stela 2XultunGuatemala
Stela 3XultunGuatemala
Stela 4XultunGuatemala
Stela 5672XultunGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch.
Stela 6501XultunGuatemala
Stela 7XultunGuatemala
Stela 8XultunGuatemala
Stela 9XultunGuatemala
Stela 10889XultunGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch.
Stela 12XultunGuatemala
Stela 13XultunGuatemala
Stela 14XultunGuatemala
Stela 15XultunGuatemala
Stela 16XultunGuatemala
Stela 17XultunGuatemala
Stela 186th-centuryAkhnalXultunGuatemalaHieroglyphic text that mentions the monarch as the 33th in line of the dynasty.
Stela 19XultunGuatemala
Stela 20XultunGuatemala
Stela 21XultunGuatemalaCapture ofBuk'a, King ofLos Alacranes.
Stela 22XultunGuatemala
Stela 23XultunGuatemala
Stela 24XultunGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch.
Stela 25XultunGuatemala
Stela 1YaxchilánMexicoA damaged portrait.
Stela 2613K'inich Tatb'u Jol III (?)YaxchilánMexicoBadly weathered, but reveals a portrait.[348][349]
Stela 3YaxchilánMexicoDestroyed and re-erected, revealing a well-preserved sculpture.[349]
Stela 4YaxchilánMexicoDestroyed and re-erected, revealing a well-preserved sculpture.[349]
Stela 5Itzamnaaj Bahlam IIIYaxchilánMexicoPortrait of the monarch in the upper part of the monument.
Stela 6Yaxun Bahlam IIIYaxchilánMexico
Stela 7YaxchilánMexicoDestroyed and re-erected, revealing a well-preserved sculpture of a kneeling figure.[349]
Stela 9YaxchilánMexicoPortrait of a monarch.
Stela 10Yaxun Bahlam IVYaxchilánMexicoPortrait of the monarch, between two figures, probably in a ritual. The configuration may be similar, for example, to Stela 2 of Bonampak.
Stela 119.15.15.0.01 June 743Itzamnaaj Bahlam IIIYaxchilánMexicoPortraits of the monarch and his son,Yaxun Bahlam IV, participating in a ritual, with well-preserved hieroglyphic text.[350][351]
Stela 12YaxchilánMexicoHieroglyphic inscriptions.
Stela 13YaxchilánMexicoA portrait.
Stela 15YaxchilánMexicoTwo figures, probably one of them is a monarch. The other is kneeling.
Stela 18After 723Itzamnaaj Bahlam IIIYaxchilánMexicoPortrait of the victorious monarch standing over a kneeling captive, identified asAj Popol Chaj, the ruling lord of Lacanha.[352]
Stela 19YaxchilánMexicoFragmented stela that appears to be a portrait of a monarch.
Stela 20YaxchilánMexicoPortrait of a monarch and a kneeling captive.
Stela 27514Joy Bahlam IYaxchilánMexicoPortrait of the monarch. Earliest stela known from Yaxchilan. The stela was damaged in antiquity and subsequently restored in the Late Classic, probably during the reign of Yaxun Bahlam IV.[351][353]
Stela 31YaxchilánMexicoSculpted from astalactite. It is undated and depicts three incised figures and some hieroglyphs.[354]
Stela 33YaxchilánMexicoFragmented monument.[349]
Stela 35Itzamnaaj Bahlam IIIYaxchilánMexicoSmall stela with a portrait ofLady Eveningstar (also known as Lady Ik Skull), wife of the monarch.[354]
Lintel 19.16.1.0.01 May 752Yaxun Bahlam IVYaxchilánMexicoPortrait of the monarch and his wife,Lady Great Skull Zero.[355]
Lintel 29.16.6.0.05 April 757Yaxun Bahlam IVYaxchilánMexicoPortrait of the monarch and his son and heir,Itzamnaaj Bahlam IV.[355]
Lintel 39.16.5.0.010 April 756Yaxun Bahlam IVYaxchilánMexicoPortrait of the monarch with an ally,K'in Mo'Ajaw.[356]
Lintel 4Yaxun Bahlam IVYaxchilánMexicoPortrait of the monarch.
Lintel 59.16.1.2.010 June 752Yaxun Bahlam IVYaxchilánMexico
Lintel 69.16.1.8.614 October 752Yaxun Bahlam IVYaxchilánMexico
Lintel 79.16.1.8.816 October 752Yaxun Bahlam IVYaxchilánMexico
Lintel 89.16.4.1.17 May 755Yaxun Bahlam IVYaxchilánMexicoThe monarch and his ally,Sajal K'an Tok Wayib grab their two captives (Jeweled Skull and Kok Te' Ajaw) in the midst of a battle.[356]
Lintel 99.16.17.6.1218 June 768Yaxun Bahlam IVYaxchilánMexicoThe monarch and his brother-in-law,Chak Chami, are dancing.[356]
Lintel 10808K'inich Tatbu Jol IVYaxchilánMexicoHieroglyphic text.[357]
Lintel 12Yaxun Bahlam IVYaxchilánMexicoThe monarch and a noble/lieutenant, surrounded by what looks like worshippers or war captives, probably about to the sacrificed in his honor.[356]
Lintel 139.16.0.14.516 February 752Yaxun Bahlam IVYaxchilánMexicoThis lintel bears well preserved sculptures.
Lintel 149.15.10.0.129 June 741YaxchilánMexicoThis lintel bears well preserved sculptures.
Lintel 159.16.3.16.19 or 9.16.17.2.426 March 755 or 22 March 768Yaxun Bahlam IVYaxchilánMexicoPortrait ofLady Wak Tuun ofMotul de San José, wife of the monarch, during a bloodletting ritual that results in the appearance of theVision Serpent. It was originally set above the southeast doorway of the central room. Lady Wak Tuun is carrying a basket containing the tools used for the bloodletting ritual, including a stingray spine, rope and bloodstained paper. The Vision Serpent emerges from a bowl containing strips of bark paper.[358]
Lintel 169.16.0.13.178 February 752Yaxun Bahlam IVYaxchilánMexicoPortrait of the monarch holding a spear and standing over a kneeling captive. The monarch wears the same costume that his father is seen wearing on Lintel 26.[359][360]
Lintel 17752Yaxun Bahlam IVYaxchilánMexicoPortrait of the monarch and his wife,Lady B'alam Mut, participating in a bloodletting ritual. The king watches while his wife pulls a rope through her tongue draw blood. This ritual is recorded as having taken place eight days after the capture event depicted on Lintel 16.[359][360]
Lintel 18YaxchilánMexico
Lintel 219.16.1.1.930 May 752Yaxun Bahlam IVYaxchilánMexicoHieroglyphic inscriptions.
Lintel 22YaxchilánMexico
Lintel 249.13.17.15.1226 October 709Itzamnaaj Bahlam IIIYaxchilánMexicoPortrait of the monarch and his wife,Lady K'ab'al Xook performing a bloodletting ritual. The king stands holding a burning torch over his wife, who pulls a spiked rope through her tongue. A screenfold book lies in a basket in front of the kneeling princess. The lintel has traces of red and blue pigments. The ceremony represented on the sculpture took place on 28 October 709. This lintel is regarded as a masterpiece of Maya art.[361][362]
Lintel 259.14.11.15.13 August 723Itzamnaaj Bahlam IIIYaxchilánMexicoPortrait ofLady K'ab'al Xook, wife of the monarch, invoking the Vision Serpent to commemorate the accession of her husband to the throne. Lady Xook holds a bowl containing bloodletting apparatus consisting of a stingray spine and bloodstained paper. The Vision Serpent rising before her has two heads, one at each extreme, from the mouth of one emerges a warrior, from the other emerges the head of central Mexican deityTlaloc, a water god from the distant metropolis ofTeotihuacan in theValley of Mexico. The hieroglyphic inscription on the lintel is unusual, being reversed as if it were meant to be read in a mirror, although the significance of this is unknown. The events depicted on the lintel are described as having occurred "in front of the water of Siyan Chan", a reference to the main plaza of the city being located on the shore of the Usumacinta River.[363][364][365]
Lintel 26726Itzamnaaj Bahlam IIIYaxchilánMexicoPortrait of the monarch. The king is being offered a helmet before battle.[366]
Lintel 27YaxchilánMexicoHieroglyphic inscriptions.
Lintel 289.16.4.6.1731 August 755Yaxun Bahlam IVYaxchilánMexico
Lintel 29Yaxun Bahlam IVYaxchilánMexicoSeries of three lintels bearing a continuous hieroglyphic text detailing the birth and accession of the monarch.
Lintel 30Yaxun Bahlam IVYaxchilánMexico
Lintel 31Yaxun Bahlam IVYaxchilánMexico
Lintel 32YaxchilánMexicoTwo portraits.
Lintel 33YaxchilánMexicoA portrait.
Lintel 356th-centuryK'inich Tatb'u Jol IIYaxchilánMexicoThe stela records a series of victories including that over the great city ofCalakmul.[348]
Lintel 37YaxchilánMexicoHieroglyphic inscriptions.
Lintel 38YaxchilánMexicoSeries of three stelae which are sculpted on their edges instead of the undersides.[351]
Lintel 39YaxchilánMexico
Lintel 40YaxchilánMexico
Lintel 41755Yaxun Bahlam IVYaxchilánMexicoThe stela celebrates the victories of the monarch. The king is shown preparing for a battle. His wife,Lady Wak Jalam Chan Ajaw ofMotul de San José, is offering him his spear.[367][368]
Lintel 42YaxchilánMexico
Lintel 43YaxchilánMexico
Lintel 46YaxchilánMexico
Lintel 479.4.11.8.1611 February 526K'inich Tat'bu Jol IIYaxchilánMexico
Lintel 48YaxchilánMexico
Lintel 50YaxchilánMexico[351]
Lintel 53YaxchilánMexico
Lintel 54YaxchilánMexico
Lintel 55YaxchilánMexico
Lintel 58YaxchilánMexico
Lintel 60YaxchilánMexico[351]
Stela 4ZacpeténGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch.
Stela 59.0.4.0.018 November 439Sihyaj Chan Kʼawiil I of TikalZapote, ElGuatemalaPortrait ofLady Ayiin, wife of the monarch
Stela 12Zapote BobalGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch.
Lintel 1Zotz, ElGuatemalaPortrait of a monarch.



Wikimedia Commons has media related toMaya stelae.

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^Height above ground.
  2. ^Original height before being broken into fragments.
  3. ^Total height including buried portion.
  4. ^Maximum height of surviving fragment.

Citations

[edit]
  1. ^abcMartin & Grube 2000, p. 113.
  2. ^abMiller 1999, p. 9.
  3. ^abcFuente et al. 1999, p. 187.
  4. ^abcdefghStuart 1996, p. 149.
  5. ^Sharer & Traxler 2006, p. 235.
  6. ^Miller 1999, p. 88;Olmedo Vera 1999, p. 24.
  7. ^abcDrew 1999, p. 222.
  8. ^Stewart 2009, p. 8.
  9. ^abStuart 1996, p. 158.
  10. ^abcdeSharer & Traxler 2006, p. 183.
  11. ^abcdeBorowicz 2003, p. 217.
  12. ^abMiller & Taube 2003, p. 157.
  13. ^abBorowicz 2003, pp. 222–224.
  14. ^abBorowicz 2003, p. 227.
  15. ^Borowicz 2003, p. 230;Sharer & Traxler 2006, p. 754.
  16. ^abCohodas 1991, pp. 279–280.
  17. ^abSharer & Traxler 2006, pp. 500–501.
  18. ^Fuente et al. 1999, p. 186;Sharer & Traxler 2006, pp. 471, 476, 500.
  19. ^Martin & Grube 2000, p. 204.
  20. ^Newsome & 1993, 1996, p. 1.
  21. ^Coe 1999, p. 224.
  22. ^Demarest 2006, pp. 139–140.
  23. ^Miller 1999, pp. 78, 80.
  24. ^abStuart 1996, p. 154.
  25. ^Stuart 1996, p. 154, n7.
  26. ^Miller 1999, p. 80.
  27. ^Sharer & Traxler 2006, p. 171.
  28. ^Miller 1999, p. 150.
  29. ^Sharer & Traxler 2006, p. 149.
  30. ^abcStuart 1996, p. 165.
  31. ^Sharer & Traxler 2006, p. 731.
  32. ^Borowicz 2003, pp. 217–218.
  33. ^abBorowicz 2003, p. 218.
  34. ^abBorowicz 2003, p. 219.
  35. ^Webster 2002, pp. 164–165.
  36. ^Fash & Agurcia Fasquelle 2005, p. 28;Schele & Looper 2005, p. 365.
  37. ^abStuart 1996, p. 157.
  38. ^Stuart 1996, p. 151.
  39. ^abStuart 1996, p. 156.
  40. ^Stuart 1996, pp. 156–158.
  41. ^Stuart 1996, pp. 158–159.
  42. ^Stuart 1996, p. 159.
  43. ^Stuart 1996, pp. 160, 164.
  44. ^Stuart 1996, p. 160.
  45. ^Stuart 1996, p. 167.
  46. ^Webster 2002, p. 154.
  47. ^Sharer & Traxler 2006, p. 300.
  48. ^Drew 1999, p. 145.
  49. ^Webster 2002, p. 158.
  50. ^Drew 1999, p. 285.
  51. ^abMiller 1999, pp. 81–82.
  52. ^abcdMiller 1999, p. 82.
  53. ^Drew 1999, p. 15.
  54. ^Clark Wernecke 2005, p. 155.
  55. ^Webster 2002, pp. 168–169.
  56. ^abcLooper 2003, p. 147.
  57. ^Coe 1999, p. 121;Looper 2003, p. 147.
  58. ^Laporte & Torres 1988, p. 12;Laporte & Torres 1994, p. 131.
  59. ^Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology (1).
  60. ^Laporte & Torres 1988, p. 12.
  61. ^abPeabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology (3).
  62. ^Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
  63. ^abHughes 1977, p. 149.
  64. ^Hansen 1991, p. 170.
  65. ^Rivera Dorado 1990, p. 27.
  66. ^Cassier & Ichon 1981, p. 35.
  67. ^Chang Lam 1991, p. 21.
  68. ^The Metropolitan Museum of Art 2001.
  69. ^Coe 1962, p. 488.
  70. ^abcPeabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology (2).
  71. ^Miller 1999, p. 78.
  72. ^Sharer & Traxler 2006, pp. 182, 197.
  73. ^Sharer & Traxler 2006, p. 197.
  74. ^abSharer & Traxler 2006, p. 246.
  75. ^Sharer & Traxler 2006, pp. 182–183.
  76. ^Sharer & Traxler 2006, p. 178.
  77. ^Sharer & Traxler 2006, p. 274.
  78. ^Webster 2002, p. 189.
  79. ^Drew 1999, pp. 129–130.
  80. ^Webster 2002, p. 188.
  81. ^abcJusteson & Mathews 1983, p. 586.
  82. ^Estrada-Belli 2011, p. 85.
  83. ^Martin 2016, pp. 510–511.
  84. ^LeCount 2004, pp. 32–33.
  85. ^Awe 2009, pp. 185–186.
  86. ^Drew 1999, p. 144.
  87. ^Sharer & Traxler 2006, p. 248.
  88. ^Sharer 2000, p. 467.
  89. ^Sharer 2000, p. 468.
  90. ^Crasborn 2005, p. 697;Schieber de Lavarreda 2003, p. 784.
  91. ^Sharer & Traxler 2006, pp. 279–280.
  92. ^Sharer & Traxler 2006, p. 280.
  93. ^Olmedo Vera 1999, p. 24.
  94. ^Webster 2002, p. 119.
  95. ^Borowicz 2003, p. 224.
  96. ^Borowicz 2003, p. 226.
  97. ^Drew 1999, p. 195.
  98. ^Drew 1999, pp. 195–196.
  99. ^Drew 1999, p. 196;Martin & Grube 2000, p. 35.
  100. ^Martin & Grube 2000, p. 34.
  101. ^Sharer & Traxler 2006, p. 754.
  102. ^Borowicz 2003, p. 230.
  103. ^Fuente et al. 1999, p. 189.
  104. ^Cohodas 1991, p. 280.
  105. ^Webster 2002, p. 185.
  106. ^Drew 1999, p. 362.
  107. ^Fash & Agurcia Fasquelle 2005, p. 28.
  108. ^Andrews & Fash 2005, p. 424;Fash & Agurcia Fasquelle 2005, p. 28.
  109. ^Andrews & Fash 2005, p. 424.
  110. ^Drew 1999, p. 241;Webster 2002, p. 300.
  111. ^Drew 1999, p. 241.
  112. ^Drew 1999, p. 242.
  113. ^abSharer & Traxler 2006, p. 500.
  114. ^Sharer & Traxler 2006, p. 501.
  115. ^Cohodas 1991, p. 279.
  116. ^Coe 1999, p. 154;Sharer & Traxler 2006, p. 522.
  117. ^Coe 1999, p. 154.
  118. ^Fuente et al. 1999, pp. 197–199.
  119. ^Fuente et al. 1999, p. 198.
  120. ^abcdefMartin & Grube 2000, p. 115.
  121. ^Sharer & Traxler 2006, p. 534.
  122. ^abMartin & Grube 2000, p. 53.
  123. ^Sharer & Traxler 2006, pp. 471, 476, 500.
  124. ^Fuente et al. 1999, p. 186.
  125. ^Webster 2002, p. 311.
  126. ^Fox 1978, pp. 162–166.
  127. ^Andres & Pyburn 2005, p. 410.
  128. ^Drew 1999, p. 354.
  129. ^Coe & 1967, 1988, p. 85.
  130. ^Sharer & Traxler 2006, p. 617.
  131. ^Drew 1999, p. 33.
  132. ^Drew 1999, pp. 51–52.
  133. ^Drew 1999, pp. 54–61, 420, 438.
  134. ^Drew 1999, p. 64.
  135. ^Drew 1999, pp. 62–63.
  136. ^Drew 1999, p. 52.
  137. ^Drew 1999, p. 65.
  138. ^Drew 1999, pp. 86–87.
  139. ^Laporte et al. 2005, pp. 163, 208.
  140. ^Drew 1999, p. 89.
  141. ^Drew 1999, p. 98.
  142. ^Corzo 2005, p. 781.
  143. ^UNESCO (1);Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores.
  144. ^UNESCO (2).
  145. ^Kelly 1996, pp. 258–262.
  146. ^Kelly 1996, pp. 176–177.
  147. ^INAH (3) & 1987, 1998, pp. 103, 109.
  148. ^San Diego Museum of Man.
  149. ^Kelly 1996, pp. 168–169.
  150. ^Kelly 1996, pp. 162–163.
  151. ^Morales 1995, p. 496.
  152. ^Hoíl Heredia 2008.
  153. ^Kelly 1996, p. 125.
  154. ^Kelly 1996, pp. 157–159.
  155. ^Kelly 1996, pp. 212–214.
  156. ^Kelly 1996, p. 150.
  157. ^Kelly 1996, p. 114.
  158. ^INAH (1).
  159. ^INAH (2).
  160. ^abCoggins 1972, p. 222.
  161. ^abCoggins 1972, p. 223.
  162. ^Coggins 1972, p. 226.
  163. ^abLaporte et al. 2005, p. 208.
  164. ^Laporte 1992, pp. 415, 428–429.
  165. ^abcSharma 2005, p. 757.
  166. ^Sharma 2005, pp. 756–757.
  167. ^abChocón & Laporte 2002, p. 13.
  168. ^Valdés 2006, p. 98.
  169. ^Nelson 1998, p. 5
  170. ^Nelson 1998, pp. 7, 50
  171. ^Tourtellot & González 2005
  172. ^abMartin & Grube 2000, p. 65
  173. ^abMartin & Grube 2000; Zender 2004
  174. ^abcHouston, Stephen (2012). "The Good Prince: Transition, Texting and Moral Narrative in the Murals of Bonampak, Chiapas, Mexico".Cambridge Archaeological Journal.22 (2):153–175.doi:10.1017/s0959774312000212.
  175. ^abcFolan et al 1995a, p. 316.
  176. ^abcdeMartin & Grube 2000, pp. 105–106.
  177. ^Martin & Grube 2000, p. 110.
  178. ^Martin & Grube 2000, pp. 103, 107.
  179. ^Martin & Grube 2000, p. 103.
  180. ^Martin & Grube 2000, p. 111.
  181. ^abcdefghijklmSimon Martin and Nikolai Grube 2008 Chronicle of the Maya Kings and Queens, 2nd edition. Thames and Hudson, London
  182. ^abcdArlen Chase and Diane Chase 2008 What the Hieroglyphs Don't Tell You: Archaeology and History at Caracol, Belize. Mayab 20:103–108
  183. ^abcdefghCarl P. Beetz, Linton Satterthwaite 1981 The Monuments and Inscriptions of Caracol, Belize. The University Museum, University of Pennsylvania.
  184. ^abcdNikolai Grube 1994 Epigraphic Research at Caracol, Belize. In Studies in the Archaeology of Caracol, Belize, edited by Diane Z. Chase and Arlen F. Chase. Pre-Columbian Art Research Institute, San Francisco, California
  185. ^Arlen Chase and Diane Chase, 1987 Investigations at the Classic Maya City of Caracol, Belize: 1985–1987. Pre-Columbian Art Research Institute, San Francisco.
  186. ^Tourtellot & González 2005, pp. 69–70; Kelly 1996, p. 156.
  187. ^Kelly 1996, pp. 156–157.
  188. ^Miller 2001, p. 163.
  189. ^abcdKelly 1996, p. 157.
  190. ^Kelly 1996, p. 156; Schele & Mathews 1999, pp. 190–193.
  191. ^Kelly 1996, pp. 154, 156.
  192. ^Schele & Mathews 1999, pp. 187–188.
  193. ^Sharer & Traxler 2006, p. 523; Schele & Mathews 1999, pp. 185–187.
  194. ^Sharer & Traxler 2006, p. 523; Kelly 1996, p. 156; Schele & Mathews 1999, p. 182-183.
  195. ^Kelly 1996, p. 158.
  196. ^Sharer & Traxler 2006, p. 522.
  197. ^Kelly 1996, p. 156; Schele & Mathews 1999, pp. 193–195.
  198. ^"Una lideresa maya entre los secretos milenarios revelados en Cobá".infobae (in European Spanish). RetrievedJuly 21, 2020."Una mujer, entre los 14 gobernadores del Gran Cobá".El Universal (in Spanish). 21 July 2020. RetrievedJuly 21, 2020.
  199. ^abcdefMartin & Grube 2000, p. 201
  200. ^Drawing of Copan Stela 1 with Image of Ruler
  201. ^Drawing of Copan Stela 1 inscriptions on rear, right and left sides
  202. ^Drawing of Copan Stela 4, west side inscription
  203. ^Drawing of four sides of Copan Stela 7
  204. ^Martin & Grube 2000, p. 200.
  205. ^Drawing of Stela 8
  206. ^Drawing of Copan Stela 9, lower portion
  207. ^abMartin & Grube 2000, p. 198
  208. ^Drawing of four sides of Stela 10
  209. ^Drawing of Two Sides of Stela 11 Depicting Standing Ruler and Two Columns of Text
  210. ^Martin & Grube 2000, p. 212
  211. ^Drawing of Four Sides of Stela 13 with Accompanying Altar
  212. ^Drawing of Copan Stela 15 Long Count Date
  213. ^Martin & Grube 2000, p. 197
  214. ^Drawing of Stela 17
  215. ^Martin & Grube 2000, pp. 194–196.
  216. ^Drawing of Four Sides Stela 19
  217. ^Martin & Grube 2000, pp. 194, 202.
  218. ^Drawing of Stela A, South Side
  219. ^Drawing of Stela A, North Side
  220. ^Drawing of Stela A, West Side
  221. ^abcdefghiMartin & Grube 2000, p. 203.
  222. ^Drawing of Stela C, North side
  223. ^Drawing of Stela D
  224. ^Drawing Depicting Four Sides of Stela E and Rollout of Altar for Stela E
  225. ^Drawing of Stela F, East Side
  226. ^Drawing Depicting Four Sides of Stela H
  227. ^Drawing of Inscriptions on Three Sides of Stela I
  228. ^Drawing of Inscriptions from Copan Stela J North and South Sides
  229. ^Drawing of Stela J, West Side
  230. ^Drawing of Stela J, East Side
  231. ^Drawing of Inscription from Copan Stela N within a Cribbing Frame
  232. ^abcdefghInscriptions at La Honradez
  233. ^abcdefghijklInscriptions at Itzimte
  234. ^abcdLaporte et al 2005, p. 159.
  235. ^Laporte 2005, p. 224.
  236. ^Laporte 2005, p. 225
  237. ^Laporte et al 2005, p. 157-193
  238. ^Laporte et al 2005, p. 157
  239. ^Laporte et al 2005, pp. 157, 197–198.
  240. ^Laporte et al 2005, pp. 157, 208.
  241. ^Laporte et al 2005, p. 208
  242. ^Laporte et al 2005, p. 214
  243. ^abcdeInscriptions at Ixtutz
  244. ^Zender, p. 6, n. 4
  245. ^Zender, p. 6, n. 4
  246. ^Zender, p. 6, n. 4
  247. ^Zender, p. 6, n. 4
  248. ^Zender, p. 1, n. 4
  249. ^abDeter-Wolf & Charland 1998, p. 33; Reents-Budet et al 2007, p. 1418.
  250. ^Velásqeez García 2007, pp. 15–17.
  251. ^abMoriarty 2004, pp. 30–31
  252. ^Deter-Wolf & Charland 1998, pp. 31–33.
  253. ^Eppich (2009):p.2.
  254. ^abFreidel (2007)[1].
  255. ^Schele and Freidel (1990).
  256. ^Hardman (2008): p.58.
  257. ^Drawing of Piedras Negras Stela 7 with Image of Standing Ruler and Captive
  258. ^Drawing of Piedras Negras Stela 8 with Image of Standing Ruler and Captive
  259. ^Drawing of Piedras Negras Stela 9 Showing Standing Ruler and Bound Captive
  260. ^Drawing of Piedras Negras Stela 11 Depicting Enthroned Ruler
  261. ^Drawing of Piedras Negras Stela 12
  262. ^Drawing of Piedras Negras Stela 26 with image of Standing Ruler and Captive
  263. ^Drawing of Piedras Negras Stela 35 with Image of Standing Ruler and Captive
  264. ^Drawing of Piedras Negras Lintel 3
  265. ^Detail of Piedras Negras Lintel 4.
  266. ^Martin & Grube 2000, p. 140.
  267. ^Inscriptions at Pixoy
  268. ^Inscriptions at Pixoy
  269. ^Inscriptions at Pixoy
  270. ^Inscriptions at Pixoy
  271. ^Inscriptions at Pixoy
  272. ^Braswell, Geoffrey E.; Christian M. Pager; Cassandra R. Bill; Sonja A. Schwake; Jennifer B. Braswell (2004). "The Rise of Secondary States in the Southeastern Periphery of the Maya World".Ancient Mesoamerica.15:219–233.doi:10.1017/s0956536104040143.S2CID 1562928.
  273. ^Braswell, Geoffrey; Christian M. Prager; Cassandra R. Bill; Sonja Schwake (2004a). "Recent Archaeological and Epigraphic Research at Pusilha, Belize: Report on the 2001 and 2002 Field Seasons".Research Reports in Belizean Archaeology.1:333–345.
  274. ^abcKelly 1996, p. 235.
  275. ^abLooper 2003, pp. 158, 164.
  276. ^Looper 2003, p. 38
  277. ^Martin & Grube 2000, pp. 221–222.
  278. ^Stuart 2008, pp. 212–213.
  279. ^abcMartin & Grube 2000, p. 221.
  280. ^Coe 1999, p. 121.
  281. ^Looper 2003, p. 123
  282. ^Kelly 1996, pp. 235–237.
  283. ^Looper 2003, p. 90.
  284. ^Looper 2003, p. 101.
  285. ^Niesel, Zoe (2008)."THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL RECORD OF KINGSHIP AT QUIRIGUA: AN ANALYSIS OF THE CLASSIC PERIOD DYNASTIC RECORD THROUGH MONUMENTAL SCULPTURE".Lamda Alpha Journal.38: 36.
  286. ^Martin & Grube 2000, pp. 220–221.
  287. ^Looper 2003, p. 88.
  288. ^Looper 2003, pp. 55–56, 207.
  289. ^Martin & Grube 2000, p. 217
  290. ^abLaporte et al 1992, p. 117; Laporte et al 2006, p. 221.
  291. ^Laporte et al 2006, p. 232.
  292. ^Laporte 2005, p. 224; Laporte et al 1992, p. 117; Laporte et al 2006, p. 240.
  293. ^abLaporte et al 1992, p. 116
  294. ^Laporte et al 2006, p. 222
  295. ^Laporte 2005, p. 210.
  296. ^Miller 1999, p. 153.
  297. ^Miller 1999, p. 94.
  298. ^Miller 1999, p. 95.
  299. ^abcdefMiller 1999, p. 129.
  300. ^abMartin & Grube 2000, p. 38.
  301. ^Martin & Grube 2000, p. 39.
  302. ^Drawing of TIK St 11 Depicting Ruler in Profile
  303. ^Martin & Grube 2000, pp. 38–39.
  304. ^Martin & Grube 2000, pp. 33–34.
  305. ^abcKelly 1996, pp. 137–139.
  306. ^Martin & Grube 2000, p. 52.
  307. ^Drawing of Stela 26 Fragments Depicting a Standing Ruler Flanked by Inscriptions
  308. ^Coe 1967, 1988, p. 45.
  309. ^abMartin & Grube 2000, p. 27
  310. ^Miller 1999, p. 91.
  311. ^Drew 1999, pp. 187–188.
  312. ^Drawing of TIK St 30 showing Jasaw Chan K'awiil in profile
  313. ^Drawing of TIK Stela 31 Right Side Depicting Curl Snout with Accompanying Inscription
  314. ^Coe 1999, pp. 91–92.
  315. ^Miller 1999, p. 97.
  316. ^Drew 1999, p. 199.
  317. ^Miller 1999, p. 98.
  318. ^Martin & Grube 2000, p. 31.
  319. ^Drew 1999, p. 188.
  320. ^Martin & Grube 2000, p. 37.
  321. ^Morales 2008, p. 422.
  322. ^Drawing of Figural Stela Depicting Standing Figure and Text Fragment from Unknown Source
  323. ^Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology (4).
  324. ^abcdeSharer & Traxler 2006, p. 473
  325. ^Miller 1999, p. 162; Stuart & Stuart 2008, p. 215.
  326. ^Sharer & Traxler 2006, pp. 471, 476.
  327. ^Sharer & Traxler 2006, pp. 471–472.
  328. ^Martin & Grube 2000, p. 189
  329. ^Drawing of Monument 22 from Tonina Depicting Bound Captive
  330. ^Sharer & Traxler 2006, pp. 473, 475.
  331. ^Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology (5).
  332. ^Stuart 2002, p. 1.
  333. ^Sharer & Traxler 2006, p. 476
  334. ^Gronemeyer & MacLeod (2010)
  335. ^Schele & Freidel (1990), p. 446
  336. ^Tomasic et al 2005, p.391.
  337. ^Tomasic and Fahsen 2004, p.798.
  338. ^Tomasic and Fahsen 2004, p.796.
  339. ^Tomasic and Fahsen 2004, p.800.
  340. ^Tomasic and Fahsen 2004, p.802.
  341. ^abcSafronov, Alexander; Beliaev, Dmitri (2017)."La epigrafía de Uaxactún después de un siglo, 1916–2016".Asociación Tikal.
  342. ^Inscriptions at Ucanal
  343. ^Inscriptions at Ucanal
  344. ^Inscriptions at Ucanal
  345. ^Inscriptions at Ucanal
  346. ^Inscriptions at Ucanal
  347. ^abcdefghiWanyerka, Phil (April 1996). "The Carved Monuments of Uxbenka, Toledo District, Belize".Mexicon.18:29–36.
  348. ^abMartin & Grube 2000, p. 121
  349. ^abcdeKelly 2001, p. 345
  350. ^|Drawing of Stela 11 (River Side) Depicting Shield Jaguar and Bird Jaguar IV Participating in a Ritual[permanent dead link]
  351. ^abcdeKelly 2001, pp. 346–347.
  352. ^Martin & Grube 2000, p. 123
  353. ^Martin & Grube 2000, p. 120-121
  354. ^abKelly 2001, p. 344
  355. ^abKelly 2001, p. 342
  356. ^abcdMayan Art Megathread
  357. ^Sharer & Traxler 2006, p. 431
  358. ^"Yaxchilan Lintel 15 at the British Museum". Britishmuseum.org. Retrieved2011-12-06.
  359. ^ab"Yaxchilan Lintel 16 at the British Museum". Britishmuseum.org. Retrieved2011-12-06.
  360. ^ab"Yaxchilan Lintel 17 at the British Museum". Britishmuseum.org. Retrieved2011-12-06.
  361. ^"Yaxchilan Lintel 24 at the British Museum". Britishmuseum.org. 2011-11-24. Retrieved2011-12-06.
  362. ^Coe 1999, p. 104.
  363. ^"Lintel 25 at the British Museum". Britishmuseum.org. Retrieved2011-12-06.
  364. ^Coe 1999, p. 126.
  365. ^Schele & Looper 2005, p. 354.
  366. ^Martin & Grube 2000, p. 122
  367. ^"Yaxchilan Lintel 41 at the British Museum". Britishmuseum.org. Retrieved2011-12-06.
  368. ^Martin & Grube 2000, p. 129

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
History
Topics
Society
Calendar
Literature
Deities
Kings
Queens

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Maya_stelae&oldid=1282131687"
Categories:
Hidden categories:

[8]ページ先頭

©2009-2025 Movatter.jp