Quiriguá Stele C

Stele C is located at the ancient Maya archaeological site of Quiriguá in the Izabal Department of south-eastern Guatemala. The site is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site situated near the banks of the Motagua River. The stele stands prominently in the Great Plaza of the ancient city.

Erected around 775 CE, Stele C bears one of the most precisely recorded early Long Count calendar dates in Maya inscriptions. The date translates directly to December 29, 775 AD. This precise dating helped archaeologists establish a firm chronological framework for the Classic Maya period and verify the accuracy of the Maya calendar.

The monument depicts K'ak' Tiliw Chan Yopaat, also known as Cauac Sky, who was the greatest ruler of Quiriguá. He commissioned the stela to celebrate his military victory over the rival city of Copan, where he captured and beheaded Copan's king, Uaxaclajuun Ub'aah K'awiil (18 Rabbit). The monument celebrates the shift in regional power.

Unlike many other Maya sites that used harder limestone, Quiriguá utilized a local, reddish sandstone for their massive monuments. This softer material allowed the Maya sculptors to carve incredibly intricate details and deep relief glyphs. However, the soft stone also makes the monuments highly susceptible to weathering and erosion in the tropical climate.