🐍The Kaan Dynasty and its passage through Dzibanché

Dzibanché: the first throne of the serpent

For decades, the Kaanul dynasty—also known as the “Serpent Dynasty”—has been one of the most studied lineages in Maya history. Although its best-known capital was Calakmul , recent research suggests that Dzibanché was its first political and ceremonial seat.

Revealing epigraphic evidence

The discovery of a glyphic staircase at Dzibanché, with inscriptions alluding to important Kaanul rulers, such as Yuknoom Ch'een I , has been key to rethinking the Maya geopolitical map. These inscriptions speak of conquests, alliances, and rituals that confirm Dzibanché's influence in the 5th and 6th centuries AD.

A change of political headquarters

In the mid-sixth century, the capital was moved to Calakmul, possibly for strategic and territorial reasons. However, Dzibanché's legacy as the birthplace of the Snake Dynasty remains in its temples, plazas, and sculpted texts.

Conclusion: Dzibanché was not a peripheral site: it was the original power center of one of the most powerful dynasties of the Classic Maya.