Eight Skull facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eight Skull |
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| Ajaw | |
Stela 12 was possibly dedicated by Eight Skull.
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| King of Ixkun | |
| Reign | c.779-790 |
| Successor | Rabbit God K |
| Born | Ixkun |
| Died | c.790 Ixkun |
| Spouse | Lady Ik (possibly) |
| Issue | Rabbit God K (possibly) |
| Religion | Maya religion |
Eight Skull was an important ruler, or Ajaw, of the ancient Maya city of Ixkun. He is one of only two rulers from Ixkun that we know about. He ruled around the years 779 to 790 AD. After Eight Skull, another ruler named Rabbit God K took over.
Who Was Eight Skull?
Eight Skull was a powerful leader in the Maya world. He governed the city of Ixkun during a busy time in Maya history. We don't know much about his early life. Most of what we know comes from ancient stone carvings.
His Time as Ruler
During his reign, Eight Skull was involved in several conflicts. Ancient records tell us about two important battles. One battle was against the city of Sacul. This happened on December 21, 779 AD. The other battle was against the city of Ucanal. This took place on May 10, 780 AD. These battles show that Eight Skull was a strong military leader.
Important Stone Monuments
Much of what we know about Eight Skull comes from large carved stone monuments called stelae. Stela 2 is one such monument. It describes the battles against Sacul and Ucanal. This stela also mentions that Eight Skull was a ruler who came before Rabbit God K. Sadly, some parts of the text on Stela 2 are missing.
Another important monument is Stela 12. Many experts believe that Eight Skull himself ordered this stela to be made. These stelae help us learn about the ancient Maya rulers and their history. They are like history books carved in stone.
