Did Two Empires Clash in Ancient Mexico?

Long before the European colonization, North America had already endured a history of violence and conquest, including the ancient empires in what we now know as Mexico and Guatemala.

Scientists have recently discovered evidence that could lead to the speculation of the clash between the Teotihuacan and Mayan territories over 1600 years ago, according to Inside Hook.

A Science article by Lizzie Wade traces the fateful string events beginning with the year 378 when Sihyaj K'ahk' (SEE-yah Kak), or Fire is Born, arrived in the large Maya city named Tikal that used to lie in what is now northern Guatemala.

His arrival was engraved on the Mayan stone monuments. Archaeologists believe he was likely a mighty warrior from Teotihuacan, a metropolis of 100,000 people about 1000 kilometers northwest of Tikal, near today's Mexico City.

They also claim Sihyaj K'ahk' may have carried an army as he entered the realms of Tikal.

What was not recorded, however, was the reason behind his arrival and how he was received by then ruler of Tikal Chak Tok Ich'aak, or Jaguar Paw. But the same day Sihyaj K'ahk' marched into the city, Jaguar Paw died.

According to the engravings on the stone monuments of Maya, Sihyaj K'ahk' had been sent as an emissary by Spearthrower Owl, a powerful foreign ruler.

Two years later, Spearthrower Owl's young son named Yax Nuun Ayiin began his rule in Tikal.

In portraits carved on stone monuments there, Yax Nuun Ayiin was shown holding an atlatl, a spearthrower commonly used by Teotihuacan warriors. He also wears a Teotihuacan-style headdress adorned with tassels.

There were images of him and Spearthrower Owl on monuments at Tikal carved in the flat, geometric style of Teotihuacan art, in contrast to the intricate, naturalistic portraits of the Maya.

Under the rule of Yax Nuun Ayiin and his family, Tikal rose to power among the other cities in the Maya territory.

Despite being able to outline the events during the period, what puzzled archaeologists and became the subject of their long-standing debate was the meaning of the images.

Some newly-discovered evidence from both Teotihuacan and the Maya region has resurfaced the issue about the real relationship between the two great cultures, suggesting an unpleasant past.

Maya writing and art suggests Teotihuacan had completely conquered Tikal as well as several other Maya cities. Also, by about the time Tikal was being swayed by Spearthrower Owl's influence, Teotihuacan may have turned against Maya expatriates who had lived there peacefully for decades, as suggested by defaced art in Teotihuacan.

Wade noted, however, that this isn't a universally held theory and it is possible that something entirely different took place yet contemporary historians are trying to project a narrative of conflict and conquest.

Some researchers also say the events of year 378 may have been an isolated case wherein Sihyaj K'ahk' and his army had been local Maya usurpers who appropriated the symbolism of faraway Teotihuacan.

The only thing clear about the recently-obtained evidences was the history of political and cultural collision that helped spark the flourishing of Tikal in the following centuries.

Said information was unearthed by scientists from UC Riverside and Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History.

Despite the differing opinions on what these new findings could mean, they were unanimous on their importance to a larger understanding of history.

"It's a thrilling time to be working in this area," says Stephen Houston, an archaeologist at Brown University. "We're getting astounding new finds that amplify what had just been a sketched story before."