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As remarkable as it was, Hasaw's reign was just the beginning of the most extraordinary century in Tikal's 1,500 year history. His son Yik'in Chan K'awil and his grandson Yax Ain II were also strong rulers. They continued to dominate other cities in battle. They captured prisoners and spilled their blood in sacrifices to the gods. They controlled trade in the Peten, increasing Tikal's wealth. Like Hasaw, their most lasting marks were left in limestone. The Twin Pyramid Groups that they built for katun endings were all enormous projects, but there was more. Beginning with Hasaw's burial pyramid, which Yik'in built in the Great Plaza according to his father's wishes, they built a total of four gigantic single pyramids. The tallest one stood over twenty-one stories tall. Although they built many ceremonial structures, the two ahaus didn't neglect the daily business of the city. Yik'in constructed a large, permanent marketplace east of the Great Plaza. He and Yax Ain II widened the raised causeways that led to it, paving them with plaster and building walls on both sides. The magnificent sweeping causeways provided visiting traders with a memorable entrance into Tikal. And, since the only entrance was through narrow, easily guarded gates, the causeways provided Tikal's rulers with great control over everything that came into the market. |