Kʼinich Yoʼnal Ahk I (), also known as Ruler 1 (died February 3, 639 AD), was an ajaw of Piedras Negras, an ancient Maya settlement in Guatemala. He ruled during the Late Classic Period, from 603–639 AD. It has been proposed that he began a new dynasty at Piedras Negras, following years of ineffective kings. As to how Kʼinich Yoʼnal Ahk I came to power, a consensus has not yet been reached, although it is known that he waged several successful wars against Palenque and Sak Tzʼiʼ. He was succeeded by his son, Itzam Kʼan Ahk I, in 639 AD and left behind several monuments, including stelae at Piedras Negras and a large mortuary temple now known as Pyramid R-5. Biography Kʼinich Yoʼnal Ahk I, also known as Ruler 1, was an ajaw (leader) of Piedras Negras in the 7th century AD. According to Mayanists Simon Martin and Nikolai Grube, the ruler's name means "Great-Sun ?-Turtle". His name was later taken by the future leaders of Piedras Negras, Kʼinich Yoʼnal Ahk II and Yoʼnal Ahk III. The title kʼinich translates to "red-faced", and is a reference to the settlement's rulers' belief that they were the "lords of the sun". Kʼinich Yoʼnal Ahk I ascended to the position of ajaw on November 14, 603 AD (9.8.10.6.16 10 Kib 9 Mak in the Long Count), although the exact details surrounding his ascension are unknown. Mayanists Stephen D. Houston and Charles Golden have hypothesized that he founded a new line of rulers at Piedras Negras, possibly following some disaster that dethroned the previous leaders. Kʼinich Yoʼnal Ahk I systematically razed buildings and monuments at Piedras Negras erected or associated with previous kings, seemingly to thoroughly cleanse the center of any reminder of these "discredited" rulers. This period of destruction—which focused heavily on structures in and around the West Group of the site—was likely ritualized, as evidenced by tell-tale clues left behind, such as offerings of pottery, jade, and small figures. After this period of destruction, Kʼinich Yoʼnal Ahk I moved his focus to the South Group, where he began to erect new buildings. Kʼinich Yoʼnal Ahk I waged battles against Palenque (Piedras Negras's main rival in the area) and Sak Tzʼiʼ (a "lesser polity"); in the former war, he reportedly captured an aj kʼuhuun ("lord") named Chʼok Balam, and in the latter he is said to have captured an ajaw named Kʼab Chan