Lady K'abel's Palace and Famous Carved Lintels. Structure 23 (Palace of Lady K'abel) dedicated in year 726 Palace explicitly designated as Lady K'abel's personal space Three famous carved lintels (24, 25, 26) originally housed there
Structure 23 at Yaxchilan, accessed through a hieroglyphic doorway naming her husband Yajaw Te' K'inich II, held three famous carved lintels that depict his primary wife, Lady K'abel. Lintel 24 in the British Museum depicts a bloodletting ceremony from October 24, 709. Lintel 25 also in the British Museum shows a vision serpent emerging from a blood ceremony. Lintel 26 in Mexico City's Museum of Anthropology depicts Lady K'abel handing battle gear to her husband. These three lintels together form a complete narrative of divine sanction for military campaigns. Lady K'abel's tomb was discovered at El Peru-Waka (not Yaxchilan) in the front right room of Structure M13-1, containing the richest grave goods found at that site, including carved bones inscribed with her name.
Key Facts
- Structure 23 (Palace of Lady K'abel) dedicated in year 726
- Palace explicitly designated as Lady K'abel's personal space
- Three famous carved lintels (24, 25, 26) originally housed there
- Lintel 24 now in British Museum, depicting bloodletting ceremony on October 24, 709
- Lintel 25 (now in British Museum) shows vision serpent emerging from blood ceremony
- Lintel 26 now in Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City, showing Lady K'abel handing battle gear to husband
- Three lintels present complete narrative of divine sanction for military campaigns
- Lady K'abel's tomb found in front right room with richest grave goods at Yaxchilan
- Tomb contained carved bones inscribed with her name
Related site: Yaxchilan — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: Exploring a Lost Maya City in the Jungle by World of Antiquity