A Classic Maya city-state on the lower Motagua River, founded 5-8 September 426 AD when the newly enthroned king of Copán, K'inich Yax K'uk' Mo', installed 'Tok Casper' as its first ruler — a vassal outpost controlling the lucrative Motagua jade/trade route. Famous for erecting the tallest carved stelae in the Maya world after breaking free of Copán.
Remained a subordinate of Copán for three centuries until its king K'ak' Tiliw Chan Yopaat captured and sacrificed Copán's ruler Uaxaclajuun Ub'aah K'awiil ('18-Rabbit') in 738 AD, winning independence and triggering Quiriguá's greatest building phase. Major construction halted by roughly 850 AD amid the regional Classic Maya collapse, with only a brief Early Postclassic reoccupation (c. 900-1200).
The atlas holds 3 border frames for Quiriguá — the shape you scrub through changes in 426 · 550 · 751.
Documents Quiriguá's full royal succession from Tok Casper (426) through K'ak' Tiliw Chan Yopaat's 738 break from Copán.
Standard synthesis covering Quiriguá's founding as a Tikal/Copán colonial outpost and its later independence.