Question

Linda Schele notes how the appearances of Venus as the evening star coincided with several wars that led to the fall of Naranjo (“na-RAHN-ho”). A stairway in Dzibanche (“dzee-BAHN-chay”) marks the first appearance of Kaan (“kah-AHN”) snake heads used to identify holders of this position. Isotopic analysis of a “goggle-eyed” (-5[1])holder of this position suggests that he was unlikely to be a descendent of Spearthrower Owl. A tomb lid in the Temple of Inscriptions depicts a holder of this position under a world tree (-5[1])that resembles a rocket ship. The word k’uhul (“koo-HOOL”) or “holy” often preceded the title of ajaw (“ah-JOW”) given to holders of this position. An elaborate jade mask belongs to Pakal the Great, (10[1]-5[1])a holder of this position in Palenque for 68 years. For 10 points, (-5[1])name this position of power over Mesoamerican city-states such as Copán and Tik’al. ■END■ (10[3]0[1])

ANSWER: Mayan kings [or kings of the Maya or queens of the Maya; accept Mayan rulers or Mayan lords; accept k’uhul ajaw or k’uhul ahau before mention; accept kings of specific cities including Calakmul, Caracol, Teotihuacán, Palenque, or Copán until “Copán” is read; prompt on Mayan leaders; prompt on Mayans or Maya by asking “what was their position in Mayan society?”]
<Other History>
= Average correct buzz position

Back to tossups

Buzzes

PlayerTeamOpponentBuzz PositionValue
Karsten RynearsonYale AColumbia B46-5
Eshan PantNYU AColumbia A80-5
Lexi TermanRutgers ACornell C11110
Arjun BothraHaverfordYale B111-5
Mina SmithNYU BPrinceton B124-5
Cooper RohColumbia BYale A13810
Anirudh BharadwajPenn APrinceton A13810
Carter McLeanPrinceton APenn A1380
Ricky ChenPrinceton BNYU B13810

Summary

2023 ACF Winter @ Columbia11/11/2023Y667%0%67%131.25