Stela

Maya royals were portrayed on stone monuments like this one, which they erected in public spaces within their cities. These sculptures marked major dynastic events including enthronements, marriages, military triumphs, and deaths. Although the elaborately dressed figure on this stela is currently unidentified, the hieroglyphic text on the left side of the stone marks the date: January 20, 702. We do not yet know what event was being recorded, but this date was likely significant for Maya peoples because it was the end of a ten-year period, or Lahuntun, similar to a decade.