Ancient DNA confirms links between Copán and Teotihuacán

Archaeological research involving ancient bone genomes has confirmed genetic links between the Maya site of Copán in present-day Honduras and Teotihuacán in Mexico. This discovery provides biological evidence to support long-standing archaeological theories regarding the strong influence Teotihuacán exerted over the Copán region.

The findings re-examine the origins of K’inich Yax K’uk’ Mo’, the first king of the Copán dynasty, who arrived in the area around 426 AD. While his exact birthplace remains a subject of debate—with theories suggesting Caracol in Belize or Tikal in Guatemala—the genomic data confirms a mixture of populations between the two Mesoamerican regions.

Archaeologist Seiichi Nakamura, who leads the research project in Copán, noted that while the presence of Teotihuacán-style ceramics and Mexican obsidian in royal tombs had long suggested a connection, the genomic confirmation of these relationships was only achieved in 2025.