Altar Q, Copan, Honduras

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The inscription on the top of Altar Q really tells the story about Yax K’uk Mo’ and how he came to Copan. It begins with a reference to a day in the early 400s, when it says that he took the emblems of office at a place that we think is connected somehow to Teotihuacan or with Central Mexico somewhere. Three days later, it says, he comes from that place. He leaves that very spot. And then the inscription goes on to say something really remarkable. A hundred and fifty three days after he leaves, apparently Central Mexico, he rests his legs. And then it says he is a West Lord, and that’s a title that he has throughout the Copan inscriptions throughout history. And then finally, the last two glyphs of the passage read “Hu’li Uxwitikî,” “he arrived at Copan.” So there’s no question in my mind that K’Inich Yax K’uk Mo’ became a king at a very far away spot in Central Mexico and brought those emblems of office back here to Copan to found the dynasty. “Lost King of the Maya” 2001 PBS NOVA