Existing comment:
Lintel 3:
Towering above the trees of the rain forest are the famous pyramids of Tikal. The tallest is Temple IV, rising 215 feet above the plaza, although the opposing Temples I and II in the Great Plaza are widely recognized symbols of Mayan architecture.
The panel is a reproduction of an intricately carved wooden lintel placed above an interior doorway in Temple IV, a magnificent example of Maya Classic Period artistic skill. The wood is from the Zapote (or Sapodilla) tree, which is dense and heavy and resistant to decay. The sap is collected from chicle used in chewing gum and latex. The original wood lintel is now in the Museum fur Volkerkunde, Basel, Switzerland.
The scene depicts the richly costumed ruler, Yik'in Kan K'awil, seated beneath a gigantic, double-headed feathered serpent, the Sky-Snake. The mouth of the snake head on the left disgorges an image of God K'awil, patron of royal power and lineage. The ruler holds a spear and a shield with the sign for death. In his feathered headdress appears a jade mosaic skull. Behind his ear is a large sign for the star Venus, an important symbol of warfare. Topping the headdress is a mask of Itzam Ye, Celestial Bird Deity of magic.
The hieroglyphic text on the left and right sides mentions the dedication of Temple IV in AD 741 and the important military victory by Tikal over an ally of El Peru in AD 743. The ruler, Yik'in Kan K'awil, reinforces his legitimacy by mentioning that he is the son of the great ruler Hasaw Kan K'awil and Lady 12 Macaw. In the victorious battle, the palanquin or ceremonial litter of the enemy was captured. Effigies of a ruler's patron gods were carried on palanquins into battle to offer supreme power and protection. In this scene, Yik'in Kan K'awil is shown seated upon the recently captured palanquin of El Peru after destroying the images of their patron gods.
Yik'in Kan K'awil not only succeeded in his military campaigns against enemies allied with the superpower Calakmul, long the main rival of Tikal, but also completed a most ambitious building program during his reign in 8th century Tikal, Temple IV was a crowning achievement. |