Yik'in Chan K'awiil

Yik'in Chan K'awiil also known as Ruler B, Yaxkin Caan Chac and Sun Sky Rain, (before 734-c.746), was an ajaw of the Maya city of Tikal. He took the throne on December 8, 734.

Biography

Identified by Mayanist epigraphers as the 27th ruler in Tikal's dynastic succession, Yik'in Chan K'awiil was one of Tikal's most successful and expansionary rulers, consolidating the political gains won by his father, Jasaw Chan K'awiil I. During his reign prolific building works were undertaken at Tikal, with a number of the site's significant still-standing structures commissioned or extended under his direction. Before advances in the decipherment of the Maya script revealed this reading of his name, this ruler was also known to researchers as Tikal Ruler B.

Yik'in K'awiil conquered Calakmul in 736 and two other Calakmul allies in 743 and 744. El Peru to the east and Naranjo to the west destroying the noose of power that had previously dominated the area.

His principal wife was a princess of Palenque, her personal name is unknown, but her formal title was Lady Yax Ahau Xoc. It is unknown exactly where his tomb lies, but strong archaeological parallels between Burial 116 (the resting place of his father) and Burial 196, located in the diminutive pyramid immediately south of Tikal Temple II and referred to as Structure 5D-73, suggest the latter may be the tomb of Yik’in Chan Kawiil. Other possible locations, and likely candidates as mortuary shrines, include Tikal Temple IV and Tikal Temple VI.

The monuments and texts associated with Yik'in Chan K'awiil are: Stelae 5, 20? and 21; Altars 2, 8? and 9; Column Altars 1, 2? and 3?; Temple 4 Lintels 2 and 3; Lintel from Structure 5D-52; Tikal Rock Sculpture?.