Mayan stone carving. Close-up of a stele (carved standing stone), showing the face of the Mayan king Ruler 3, whose real name is unknown (as of 2008).

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Mayan stone carving. Close-up of a stele (carved standing stone), showing the face of the Mayan king Ruler 3, whose real name is unknown (as of 2008). He ruled the city of Dos Pilas from 727 to 741 AD. Dos Pilas, located in El Peten, Guatemala, was initially founded as a secondary site to the great city of Tikal in 629 AD. It grew in power by forming an alliance with Tikal's enemy city Kalakmul and started a war against Tikal, eventually sacking the city. Dos Pilas's power then waned after its Kalakmul allies were defeated, which led to it being abandoned in 760 AD.

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Size: 2848px × 4256px
Photo credit: © PASQUALE SORRENTINO/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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