city state · Mesoamerica and the Caribbean

Naranjo

500 CE – 820 CE (approx.) · capital Naranjo

A Classic Maya kingdom in eastern Petén, called Sa'al, revived in the 7th century by Lady Six Sky, a princess from Dos Pilas.

Origins

Naranjo grew in the hills between the Petén lakes and the Belize valley. Its dynasty claimed great antiquity, and by the 6th century, around 500 CE, its kings were regional powers, allied at times with Tikal and at others with the Kingdom of Kaan.

Rule and society

Under Aj Wosal Naranjo was a client of Kaan, but in the 620s and 630s Caracol defeated it. In 682 Lady Six Sky (Ix Wak Jalam Chan Ajaw), daughter of B'ajlaj Chan K'awiil of Dos Pilas, arrived to restore the dynasty. She acted as ruler for her young son K'ahk' Tiliw Chan Chaak, who fought wars against Yaxha, Ucanal and other neighbours. Naranjo was also a centre of fine painted pottery.

Decline and legacy

Naranjo's last known monument dates to about 820, after which it declined in the Classic collapse. Heavy looting of its stelae in the 20th century prompted protection; it now lies within the Yaxha-Nakum-Naranjo National Park.

Connections (2)

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

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻