Yaxchilan is one of the great sites from the Classic Mayan period [250-900 AD].

It began as a hamlet of hunter-farmers but eventually rose in status in the region. It is believed to have attained prominence some time around 410 AD during the rein of Skull-Mahk'ina 1, lord of Yuxchilan. At the time Tikal still held sway in the area, while Yaxchilan was, until Piedras Negras rose in influence, the main port for the Palenque region.

It seems likely that when Skull-Mahk'ina 2 took over Yaxchilan's throne in 526 AD, the city became the regions capital. At least this is denoted by the presence of its emblem glyph in other localities, as well as by such sites as El Chicozapote, Anaife, La Pasadita, El Cayao, and La Mar.

In about the year 600 erection of steles in the region all but ceased, probably because of political upheavals. Recordings on steles of the activities of Yaxchilan rulers did not recommence until 630 AD, a year in which Bird-Jaguar 3 was master of the site. His son, Shield-Jaguar 1, who ascended the throne in 681 AD, undertook an ambitious expansion campaign in the region. His reign was marked by constant struggle with other cities, which he managed to keep under his thumb.

Shield-Jaguar 1 had three wives called Fish-Fist, Snake-White, and Lady Ik-Skull. The latter was the mother of the next ruler, Bird-Jaguar 4. Upon the death of Shield-Jaguar 1 in 742, there apparently began a 10-year period with no fixed ruler except perhaps his third wife.

Under Bird-Jaguar 4, Yaxchilan reached its peak as a city and power center. This ruler had a number of buildings and monuments built. Depicted on them are his wives and henchman, a fact that speaks of his need to strengthen and extend political alliances as his means of keeping power. When in 757 AD Bird-Jaguar 4, named as his successor.

Shield-Jaguar 2 is shown capturing a prisoner [about the year 787 AD] on the middle lintel of the Temple of the Paintings in Bonampak. The last reports on Yaxchilan ruling dynasty was engraved on lintel 10, where the latest date is approximately 808 AD This monument depicts ruler Mahk'ina-Skull 3, who was evidently the son of Shield-Jaguar 2.