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In Forest of Kings, Linda Schele and David Freidel suggested that Tikal had adapted Teotihuacan militaristic ideology (and technology in the form of the spearthrower) in refining their own cult of "Venus-Tlaloc warfare". The evidence from archaeology and stylistic analysis was inconclusive in resolving the historical issue.

This detail of a portrait of Yax Nuun Ayiin from the side of Stela 31 shows the Tikal ruler carrying an atlatl, or spearthrower. This weapon is characteristic of Central Mexico rather than the Maya. Photo: Mark Van Stone.