Old royal family of Copán

Although the first stone architectural structures built in Copán date from the 9th century B.C., the fertile valley of the Copán River was already an agricultural region long before. The city was already important before it was refounded by a foreign elite. Although some references to Copán's predynastic history were found in later texts, none of them date from before the city was refounded in AD 426. c.^[2]

In 426 the nobleman Knich Yax Kuk Mo undertook a conquest against Copan with the support of Tikal and the approval of Teotihuacan. After his successful military campaign, the city was conquered and he proclaimed himself king. Some Historians claim that King Knich decided to marry one of the daughters of the previous king of Copán before his enthronement to legitimise his accession to the throne and unite both houses. With Knich on the throne of Copán, this city would now be connected by blood with the nobility of Tikal and Teotihuacan.^[3]

• History of Honduras
• Mayans