Ah Cacao Gran Jaguar

Pirámide del Gran Jaguar, Gran Plaza de Tikal, Petén. When Calakmul (North Mayan city located in what is now Mexico), invaded Tikal in 679, interrupted the dynastic line but not permanently.

Chaak Ujol Nuun son and member of the royal lineage, Jasaw was destined to greatness. It was under his command Tikal forces lined up to prove against Calakmul, overlooking the city.

Known as Ah Cacao (guy who cleans or lightens the sky, rain from heaven), Chan Jasaw K'awiil the first left his mark in history when the 695 Laño defeat the empire that oppressed his hometown.

After reinstating the original power of Tikal, the kingdom faced the task of consolidating his power in the region by the four cardinal points and then devote to renew the buildings in the city.

He is credited Habber and ball field built on the East Plaza and construction of the Temple II, Tikal, located in the Gran Plaza, which in its upper part was decorated with the figure of his queen Lady Une Kakajuun.

The Great Jaguar Temple

In front of the Temple II stood another structure that was replaced to make way for Great Jaguar Temple I.

With a height of 47 meters, the pyramid is decorated in its upper part with efigue sitting and the sovereign protected jaguar ofa rampant claw (barely visible deterioration).

While the pyramids are believed royal tombs, they were not, except that found in Palenque (Mexico) and this, the Great Jaguar. At its base was found in 1962 the body of Ah Cacau in entierrio 116, together with beads, mirror, jaguar skins and jade jewelry.

The head collar was in 114 fields of jade and jewels weighing about eight pounds and a half.

The search for a similar burial on the Temple II dedicated his queen gave no results found no grave.

First Kawiil Jasaw Chan

As well as other cultures around the world, the Maya also resorted to the names as a way to honor a great ancestor. Reference was also made in this way the lineage to which they belonged, and finally, was an appeal to a great power that had existed before them.

Jasaw name was then used in 869 by the Second Jasaw Kawiil Chan.

Remember your next trip to Tikal that his original name was Yax Mutal, and the Temple I and II honor a king and queen who revitalized a city taken by a invading kingdom.
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