This area is best known as the center of the Caste War of Yucatán waged during the 19th century, that resulted in an independent Maya state governed from the city of Chan Santa Cruz.
The site was first publicized by the archaeologist Herbert Spinden along with the New York Times journalist Gregory Mason during the 1920s, but intensive scrutiny did not begin until the 21st century.
One scholar affiliated with the project, Johan Normark, has done research that is notable for its use of theories about material culture and "agency".
Linnea Wren and Travis Nygard have analyzed the monumental record of Yoʼokop in terms of both sacred and "gendered" space.
The site also includes carefully carved hieroglyphic stair risers describing a queen (Kaloomte Na Chaʼak Kab) who may have ruled at Yoʼokop under the overlord Sky Witness from Calakmul or Dzoyola.