Archaeologist Sylvanus Morley found Ball Court Marker 1 in 1915. The significance of the monument was not understood for decades, but now the texts have been interpreted. The monument depicts king Taj Chan Ahk playing a ceremonial game with one of his sons, Kan Maax. The purpose of the cermony was to transfer the power from father to son. The date of the monument is 795 A.D.
Ball Court Marker 1 was found in 1915
The Looted Monument - Ball Court Marker 2
This ball court marker was uncovered in 2001 due to heavy rainfall, and it ended up in the hands of a looter´s gang. After a long and adventurous chase the monument was recovered and handed over to the Guatemalan state in 2003.
This monument from 795 A.D. depicts king Taj Chan playing against a vassal ruler, whose identity the researchers are not quite certain yet. The game is commemorating an alliance or some other important event.
Looted Ball Court Marker
The Latest Recovery in 2004 - Ball Court Marker 3
The archaeological team of Cancuen was able to find the third ball court marker in 2004 with the help of the two earlier found markers. Many of the ceremonial ball courts in Mesoamerica have had three monuments.
This monument shows the last king of Cancuen, Kan Maax, playing with an unknown vassal lord in the year 800 A.D.
The research team is trying to find out who the unknown kings in markers 1 and 3 are.
