Yik'in Chan K'awiil

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Tikal Temple 1, completed by Yik'in Chan K'awiil over the tomb of his father Jasaw Chan K'awiil I one of the richest Maya graves.^[1]^[2].

Yik'in Chan K'awiil (K’awil the Sky Darkener) was the 26th of the 29 rulers of the Maya city state of Tikal.^[3] Living from around 734 to 760 A.D.^[4] Yikin Kawiil was one of the most prestigious rulers of Tikal.^[5] 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.^[6]

Yik'in Chan K'awiil (pronounced: Yukin Kon Kawheel) had one goal,^{[citation needed]} to silence his nemesis Calakmul and the rest of the city-states surrounding Tikal.

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

His wife was Shana'Kin Yaxchel Pacal "Green Jay on the Wall" of Lakamha. 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 Temple II and referred to as Str. 5D-73, suggest the latter may be the tomb of Yik’in Chan Kawil (Sharer 1994:169). Other possible locations, and likely candidates as mortuary shrines, include Temples IV and VI.