What is the name of the founding ruler of Copan's dynasty?

The founding ruler of Copán’s dynasty was K’inich Yax K’uk’ Mo’. Maya inscriptions identify him as the first ruler of the dynasty that established Copán as a major kingdom in the southeastern Maya lowlands.

He came to power around AD 426, apparently in connection with Tikal, and founded the dynasty later called the Yax K’uk’ Mo’ dynasty. His name is often translated as “Great Sun, Quetzal Macaw the First.” The title and imagery associated with him connected Copán to wider political networks that included Tikal and, possibly, Teotihuacan.

Archaeologists identify a richly furnished tomb beneath Temple 16’s Hunal temple as his likely burial place. The remains show healed injuries, while strontium analysis indicates that he spent his early years near Tikal rather than at Teotihuacan. Later monuments, especially Altar Q, place him at the beginning of Copán’s royal succession. The other options were rulers associated with different Maya centers or periods: Yuknoom Ch’een II ruled Calakmul, Jasaw Chan K’awiil I ruled Tikal, and Pakal ruled Palenque.