According to Maya chronicles (e.g., the Book of Chilam Balam of Chumayel), Hunac Ceel, ruler of Mayapan, conquered Chichen Itza in the 13th century.
The Itza left the Yucatán region in the 13th century and built the city later known as Tayasal as their capital.
Ralph L. Roys, in his commentary to the Book of Chilam Balam of Chumayel posits the interpretation that someone from Chichen Itzá stole away with the bride Ah Ulil, the ruler of Izamal.
They decided to build a new capital city near the town of Telchaquillo, hometown of Hunac Ceel, the general who defeated the rulers of Chichen Itza.
Thompson received money from Stephen Salisbury III to help him buy the Chichén Itzá excavation site and explore the cenote.
The Kowoj were located to the east of the Itza, around the eastern lakes: Lake Salpetén, Lake Macanché, Lake Yaxhá and Lake Sacnab.
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It would take some 170 years before the last recognized Maya stronghold fell, that of the Itza capital of Nojpetén on Lake Petén Itzá, in 1697.