Chan Chak K'ak'nal Ajaw
Chan Chak Kʼakʼnal Ajaw († after 915) was the only known ruler of the Maya city of Uxmal .
Reign and construction activity
Chan Chak K'ak'nal Ajaw is the only prince of Uxmal known from contemporary inscriptions . These writings referring to him come from the period between the years 890 and 915.
Under his reign, Uxmal became the most important center of power in the Puuc region and there was a close alliance with Nohpat and Kabah . Major monumental structures that still characterize Uxmal today were completed in the mosaic or Uxmal style as a special variant of the Puuc style . At the same time, construction activity in the previous metropolis of Oxkintoc , but also in other Puuc cities such as Xkipché , Xkoch and Rancho Mex, was greatly reduced. This also underlines the importance of Uxmal under the rule of Chan Chak K'ak'nal Ajaw.
The so-called governor's palace is an outstanding architectural masterpiece, interpreted as a functional combination of a mansion and a building for the assembly of the nobles ( Mayatan : popol naah ). This building was commissioned by Chan Chak K'ak'nal Ajaw and erected on one of the largest pyramid bases of the Maya lowlands, comparable to Kinich Kak Moo in Izamal . This alone required well-structured logistics and a considerable number of workers. Other buildings associated with Chan Chak K'ak'nal Ajaw are the ball playground , one of the largest in the Yucatán next to the one in Chichén Itzá , and the so-called nuns' square , which contains many elements of the Mayan cosmos, astronomy and mathematics and as Brilliant achievement of the calculation and architectural processing of the course of the sun applies.
Ball playground (905) with main portal to the nuns square behind
So-called nuns square (906/907) partial courtyard view
so-called governor's palace (900–910)
double-headed jaguar throne in front of the governor's palace
West of the so-called nuns quadrangle was on a particular platform, an ensemble of 15 Limestone - pillars , of which the stele # 14 Chan Chak K'ak'nal Ajaw shows the full radiance.. Today the stele is in the Museo del Sito in Uxmal. The state of preservation is only moderate, so that the image is no longer continuously recognizable. Nevertheless, it becomes clear that Chan Chak K'ak'nal Ajaw is standing on a double-headed jaguar throne above two naked prisoners. Belt and headband make references to the royal dignity, the opulent headdress points to the god Chaac , who is also the name of the ruler. He is accompanied by subordinates, and two paddle and wind gods are depicted above his headdress.
literature
- Nikolai Grube : Maya, Gottkönige im Regenwald , Potsdam 2012, pp. 332–336
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Reconstruction of the facade of the Governor's Palace with a stone sculpture by Chan Chak K'ak'nal Ajaw
- ↑ Juan Bote: Relacion de Teabo , 1581 and the Chilam Balam books by Tizimín and Maní name Ah Hun Uitzil Chac Tutul Xiu as a Halach Huinik of Uxmal. Its equation with Chan Chak K'ak'nal Ajaw is rejected by a majority due to chronological mentions, just as it remains open in the scientific discourse whether it is a historical person.
- ↑ Stele 14 ( Memento of the original from August 8, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Peabody Museum of Archeology and Ethnology in Cambridge (English)
- ↑ Column 14 Museo del Sito in Uxmal (English)
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Chan Chak K'ak'nal Ajaw |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Chan Chak Kʼakʼnal Ajaw |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Ruler of the Maya city of Uxmal (around 900) |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 9th century |
| DATE OF DEATH | after 915 |