Apoch'Waal was an 8th-century

Maya Maya may refer to: Ethnic groups * Maya peoples, of southern Mexico and northern Central America ** Maya civilization, the historical civilization of the Maya peoples ** Mayan languages, the languages of the Maya peoples * Maya (East Africa), a p ...

''lakam'', or standard-bearer. He inherited his father's position as ''lakam'' for the

ajaw Ajaw or Ahau ('Lord') is a pre-Columbian Maya civilization, Maya political title attested from epigraphy, epigraphic inscriptions. It is also the name of the 20th day of the ''tzolkʼin'', the Maya divinatory calendar, on which a ruler's ''kʼatu ...

Calakmul Calakmul (; also Kalakmul and other less frequent variants) is a Maya civilization, Maya archaeological site in the Mexican state of Campeche, deep in the jungles of the greater Petén Basin region. It is from the Guatemalan border. Calakmul w ...

, and acted as a diplomatic emissary between the ajaws of Calakmul and

Copán Copán is an archaeological site of the Maya civilization in the Copán Department of western Honduras, not far from the border with Guatemala. It is one of the most important sites of the Maya civilization, which was not excavated until the ...

. In 726 CE, Apoch'Waal successfully established an alliance between Calakmul and Copán, which he commemorated through a ceremonial platform and temple built for himself at El Palmar. This temple, labeled as Structure GZ1 at El Palmar, is also the site of Apoch'Waal's grave. Studies of his body have revealed insights into Maya elite life in the late Classic period.

Tomb

Apoch'Waal's platform and temple was likely constructed at great expense, indicating the owner's wealth and power. In contrast, his sealed tomb contained just two decorated pots and his body when opened by archaeologists. This indicates that Apoch'Waal died during or after a period of significant political turbulence, and reveals the impact that period had on the ruling elites of Calakmul. His skeleton shows that he died a middle-aged man, between the age of 30 and 50; wear and tear on the bones show signs of

arthritis Arthritis is a general medical term used to describe a disorder that affects joints. Symptoms generally include joint pain and stiffness. Other symptoms may include redness, warmth, Joint effusion, swelling, and decreased range of motion of ...

in his hands, elbows, knees, and feet, suggesting a life of constant foot travel on rough terrain. Signs of childhood malnutrition suggest a harsh upbringing, despite his status as a high-ranking elite. Apoch'Waal had inlay dental modification done on his upper front teeth, fitting them with

jade Jade is an umbrella term for two different types of decorative rocks used for jewelry or Ornament (art), ornaments. Jade is often referred to by either of two different silicate mineral names: nephrite (a silicate of calcium and magnesium in t ...

and

pyrite The mineral pyrite ( ), or iron pyrite, also known as fool's gold, is an iron sulfide with the chemical formula Fe S2 (iron (II) disulfide). Pyrite is the most abundant sulfide mineral. Pyrite's metallic luster and pale brass-yellow hue ...

, with one apparently having fallen out without replacement long before his death, another sign that he had fallen on hard times.

References

{{mesoamerica-stub 8th-century Maya people 8th-century diplomats