Dark Sun (Maya ruler) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dark Sun(Nunoom Che'en?) |
|
|---|---|
| Ajaw | |
Dark Sun's portrait on Stela 24
|
|
| King of Tikal | |
| Reign | c. 810 |
| Predecessor | Nuun Ujol K'inich |
| Successor | Jewel K'awiil |
| Died | Tikal |
| Father | Nuun Ujol K'inich (possibly) |
| Religion | Maya religion |
| Signature |  |
Dark Sun was an important ruler, known as an ajaw, of the ancient Maya city of Tikal. He ruled around the year 810. Tikal was one of the largest and most powerful cities of the Maya people. Dark Sun was likely the son of another ruler named Nuun Ujol K'inich.
Who Was Dark Sun?
Dark Sun was a king, or ajaw, during a time when the Maya civilization was very strong. He ruled Tikal, a huge city in what is now Guatemala. We know about him from special stone carvings called stelae and altars. These monuments tell us about his life and rule.
Ruling Tikal
Dark Sun's reign was around 810 AD. This was a period when many Maya cities were still thriving. As an ajaw, Dark Sun would have been the main leader of Tikal. He would have managed the city's people, its buildings, and its connections with other Maya cities.
Important Monuments
We learn about Dark Sun mainly from three important stone monuments found at Tikal:
- Stela 24: This is a tall, carved stone slab. It shows a portrait of Dark Sun himself. It's a key piece of evidence for his existence and rule.
- Altar 7: This is a large, flat stone that often goes with a stela. Altars were used in ceremonies and often had carvings that added to the story on the stela.
- Temple 3 Lintel 2?: A lintel is a strong piece of wood or stone that supports the weight above a doorway. If this lintel is indeed connected to Dark Sun, it would show his importance in the construction of Temple 3.
These monuments help historians understand the history of Tikal and the rulers who shaped it. They give us clues about the Maya people's beliefs and their amazing artistic skills.
