city state · Mesoamerica and the Caribbean

La Corona

500 CE – 800 CE (approx.) · capital La Corona

A small Maya kingdom in north-western Petén, the long-sought 'Site Q', whose panels illuminate its close ties with the Kingdom of Kaan.

Origins

For decades looted carved panels from an unknown 'Site Q' circulated on the art market. In 2005 the site was identified as La Corona, a modest centre in north-western Petén whose rulers used the title of Sak Nikte'. Its dynasty is attested from the Early Classic, around 500 CE.

Rule and society

La Corona lay on a route between Calakmul and the south, and its kings were loyal vassals of the Kingdom of Kaan, receiving Kaan princesses as royal brides. Its panels record journeys of local lords to Calakmul and ballgame rituals. In 2012 archaeologists found a stairway block that mentions the bak'tun ending of 2012 in a text about a visit by the Kaan king Yuknoom Yich'aak K'ahk' in 696.

Decline and legacy

With Kaan's decline in the 8th century, La Corona's power waned, and it was abandoned around 800 CE. It shows how the Snake Kingdom held its network together through marriage and patronage.

Connections (1)

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Cite this page
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). La Corona. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/la-corona
MLA
“La Corona.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/la-corona. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “La Corona.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/la-corona.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘La Corona’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/la-corona (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻