Ukit Kan Lek Tok

Fig. 1: Ukit Kan Lek Tok (small, upper figure) at the symbolic handover of the insignia of power to K'inich Junpik Tok 'K'uh (larger, lower figure) in the year 840

Ukit Kan Lek Tok or Ukit Kan Le'k Tok ' (* approx. 740; † 801 ) was the most important ruler of the Maya city ​​of Ek Balam during the Late Classical period .

Reign and construction activity

Fig. 2: Inscription at the foot of the acropolis in Ek Balam

Ukit Kan Lek Tok is mentioned in contemporary inscriptions as the prince of Ek Balam between the years 770 and 801. He was the son of Ukit Ahkan and a lady whose emblem glyph shows the number five ( Mayathan : ho). He was obviously regarded and revered as the founder of the dynasty by the well-known later classical rulers Ek Balam (K'an B'ohb 'Tok' † 814; Ukit Jol Ahkul † 830; K'inich Junpik Tok 'K'uh † 870) . At the age of about 30 he came to power on May 26, 770.

Fig. 3. Entrance to the tomb of Ukit Kan Lek Tok

Ukit Kan Lek Tok had extensive structural changes made to the Acropolis in Ek Balam , as stated by an inscription at the foot of the stairs of the temple pyramid (Fig. 2). On the fourth level of the Mayan Acropolis is his tomb, executed in the Chenes style (Fig. 3). In his grave, archaeologists found 21 vases and more than 7000 objects made of jade , ceramics , shells , bones and pyrite . In the stucco of the facade of the grave entrance there is a miniature in the form of the corn god with a strongly deformed facial skull. It is believed that this is a representation of Ukit Kan Lek Tok, since severe chronic infections of the jaws and resulting deformations were found on the ruler's skull . According to the inscriptions, the principality founded by Ukit Kan Lek Tok had the historical name Talol .

Web links

• Ukit Kan Le'k Tok ' on mesoweb ( English )
• Ek Balam and Ladder Ukit Kan Lek Tok (English)
• Ek Balam y la Escalera de Ukit Kan Lek Tok ' ( Spanish )
• UKIT KAN LEK TOK, gobernante de Ek balam (Spanish)