Emblem glyphs and supernatural places: The case of Kanu'l and its implications

Abstract

Some of the place names incorporated in Emblem Glyphs refer to primordial locations and the settings of mythic events. The title k'uhul kanu'l ajaw, 'godly Kanu'l king', most prominently borne by the Late Classic rulers of Calakmul, is one of these supernatural Emblem Glyphs. Evidence from hieroglyphic texts on Late Classic ceramics suggests that the toponym Kanu'l names a cave where the defeat, death and resurrection of the Maize god took place. Additional evidence indicates that other toponyms related to the resurrection of the Maize god also name primordial places, allowing us to tentatively extend the list of supernatural Emblem Glyphs.