Monument 1 at La Muerta

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Petroglyph discovered at La Muerta displays the profile of a figure wearing a mask representing the Chaak deity, closely linked to the Kan Kingdom. This powerful Regional State comprised numerous main cities, secondary cities, and rural settlements, united under an alliance governed by the serpent dynasty. Over time, the Kan Kingdom underwent significant changes in its organization and capital location. During the Middle Preclassic period (800-200 B.C.), Nakbe served as the primary seat of power. Later, El Mirador emerged as the capital during the Late Preclassic period (200 B.C. — 250 A.D.), when it was the largest city in the region, connected to major centers through an extensive network of causeways and controlling long-distance trade routes. In the Early Classic period (250-550 A.D.), a significant rock carving appeared at La Muerta, a secondary settlement of El Mirador, featuring one of the first examples of the Serpent Head glyph. Years later, the use of this glyph was documented in Dzibanche, Mexico, where it is believed the dynasty may have settled after abandoning El Mirador. However, by 630 A.D., the Kan Kingdom's capital had shifted to Calakmul, Mexico, from which point it managed important regional alliances with sites like Caracol in Belize and La Corona, El Peru Waka, El Zotz, Naranjo, and Dos Pilas in Peten, Guatemala.