Reign of Jasaw Chan K'awiil at Tikal.

On 03/05/0682, Jasaw Chan Kʼawiil I, also known as Ruler A or Ah Cacao, acceded to the throne of Tikal, a major Maya city in the Petén region of present-day Guatemala. His accession is recorded in hieroglyphic inscriptions at the site, marking the beginning of a new phase in Tikal’s dynastic history. This came after a prolonged period often referred to by scholars as a “hiatus,” during which fewer monuments were erected and inscriptions became scarce following Tikal’s earlier defeat by the rival city-state of Caracol in 562 CE. During his reign, Jasaw Chan Kʼawiil I reestablished Tikal’s political and ceremonial presence. Monumental construction resumed, including the erection of stelae and the development of major architectural projects. One of the most notable structures associated with his rule is Temple I, also known as the Temple of the Great Jaguar, which serves as his funerary monument. His reign also saw renewed emphasis on recording dynastic events, with inscriptions documenting rituals, accessions, and lineage continuity. A key recorded event during his rule occurred in 695 CE, when Tikal achieved a military victory over Calakmul, one of its principal rivals. This event is documented in inscriptions and is associated with the capture of a Calakmul ruler or noble. Following this, Tikal reasserted its influence in the central Maya lowlands, reflected in increased monument activity and political visibility. Jasaw Chan Kʼawiil I ruled until his death in 734 CE, after which he was succeeded by his son, Yikʼin Chan Kʼawiil, who continued major construction projects at the site.