70 UNIT 1 PREHISPANIC MESOAMERICA
installed this Quirigua ruler himself in 724, this was a treacherous betrayal. This act
ended the creative works of Waxaklajuun Ub’aah K’awiil, and temporarily dimin-
ished the power of Copán’s ruling dynasty: No structures or stelae were erected dur-
ing the reign of his successor.
The death of Copán’s ruler did not, however, result in any great changes in the
everyday life of most of Copán’s citizens; archaeologists cannot detect any changes
in social and economic activities associated with this hiatus (A.D. 738–756). During
the reign of the son of Waxaklajuun Ub’aah K’awiil’s successor, Copán’s ruling dy-
nasty reestablished its position of strength, although this was not to last.Figure 1.14 Stela A at
the Classic-period Mayan
city of Copan, Honduras.
Photo by Michael E. Smith.