The pyramids and temples in the Mayan centre of Tikal are decorated with images and text. These retell stories of wars and other important events. Tikal lies north of Gautemala. Yaxchilan which lies in present day Mexico was another important Mayan centre. There is a 19 kilometre chain of stone slabs around the Mayan city of Copan. His successor Smoke Squirrel built Palenque is a Mayan centre that lies south of Mexico.