Jasaw Chan K'awiil I

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Jasaw Chan K’awiil I (682-734) was a ruler of a polity centered at Tikal during its Late Classic phase. Tikal was one of the largest pre-Columbian Maya civilization cities of the period, located in the Petén basin of the central Maya lowlands region of Mesoamerica. One of the most celebrated of Tikal's rulers, Jasaw Chan K’awiil's reign came at the end of a 130-year long hiatus in Tikal's historical record, and his defeat of the rival Maya city of Calakmul in 695 is seen to represent a resurgence in the strength and influence of Tikal.

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 A, or by the nickname Ah Cacao.

Two structures at Tikal in particular are associated with Jasaw Chan K’awiil. Tikal Temple I is a classically Petén-styled stepped pyramid structure which served as this ruler's tomb, although it is presently unclear whether it was built for this specific purpose. Tikal Temple II served as the tomb for his wife, nicknamed "Lady Twelve Macaw" (d. 704).

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