Palenque: Jewel of the Classic Maya World
Palenque (called Lakamhaʼ in ancient Maya, meaning “Big
Water”) is a major Maya archaeological site located in the Chiapas jungle of southern Mexico. Renowned for its
architectural elegance, intricate carvings, and rich history,
Palenque was a powerful city-state that flourished during the Classic Period (approx. 250–900 A.D.).
Historical Significance
Peak era: Especially between 600–750 A.D.
Most famous ruler: K’inich Janaab’ Pakal (Pakal the
Great), who reigned for nearly 70 years and ushered in a
golden age of construction and culture.
Palenque was a political, religious, and artistic hub,
known for both its architecture and its finely carved stone
inscriptions.
Main Structures
1. Temple of the Inscriptions:
o A pyramid with one of the most important
discoveries in Maya archaeology: the tomb of
Pakal the Great.
o The tomb includes a famous stone sarcophagus lid,
often (mis)linked to “ancient astronaut” theories,
but actually depicting Pakal’s journey to the Maya
underworld.
2. The Palace:
o A large, multi-level complex with courtyards,
corridors, a tower, and aqueducts.
o Features the Observation Tower, possibly used for
astronomy or rituals.
3. Temple of the Cross, Temple of the Sun, and Temple of
the Foliated Cross:
o Together form the Cross Group, symbolizing
important deities and mythological narratives.
4. Hieroglyphic Inscriptions:
o Palenque has some of the most readable and
artistic glyphs in the Maya world, revealing
dynastic histories, cosmic myths, and calendar
systems.
The “Temple of the Skull” at Palenque, also known as Temple XII, is named for a stucco skull carving found at the base of one of its pillars (see below). This skull, likely representing a Mayan underworld god, is a prominent feature visible as visitors enter the ruins. Archaeologists also discovered a burial chamber beneath the temple, containing the remains of a high-ranking individual and their attendants.
“The nine-level Temple of the Inscriptions stands just south of the Palace. Set directly into the hill behind, it is highlighted and framed by the landscape.
After discovering that the floor slabs of the chamber could be moved to reveal interior constructions, the Mexican archaeologist Alberto Ruz cleared the staircase and in 1952 found the extraordinary tomb at the base of the pyramid, set on an axis, north-south, with the stairs.
Within, a large corbeled chamber held the uterus-shaped sarcophagus of the great king Pacal, whose remains lay covered with jade and cinnabar. The sarcophagus lid shows the king at the moment of death, falling in rapture into the maws of the underworld. The sides of the sarcophagus display Pacal’s ancestors, emerging from the ground, while nine stucco attendants flank the walls.
The construction was designed for eternity: even the cross-tiers were made of stone (the only examples known) and a small stone tube, or ‘psychoduct,’ as it is called, connects the tomb to the upper level and thence to fresh air. The Temple of the Inscriptions in unique among all Mesoamerican pyramids in having been built before the ruler’s death, probably to his specifications.”
Mary Ellen Miller, The Art of Mesoamerica form Olmec to Aztec, p. 128-9.
NOTE: In Maya mythology, there were nine levels of the underworld, which correspond to the nine levels of the temple.
The Palace at Palenque is a large complex of connected buildings and courtyards that served as a center for Mayan aristocracy, including bureaucratic functions, entertainment, and rituals. A distinctive feature is the four-story observation tower, likely used for astronomical observations. The palace is located in the center of the ancient city and is the largest building complex in Palenque.
The Palace was equipped with numerous large baths and saunas which were supplied with fresh water by an intricate water system. An aqueduct, constructed of great stone blocks with a three-meter-high vault, diverts the Otulum River to flow underneath the main plaza. The Palace is the largest building complex in Palenque measuring 97 meters by 73 meters at its base.
If you look carefully at the photo of the Palace you will see the square opening that has a bench inside.
This 1890 photo shows the three temples of the Cross Group. The (#3) Temple of the Cross is on the top left, (#2) the Temple of the Foliated Cross is the smaller temple in the center of the photo, and the (#1) Temple of the Sun appears partially obscured behind the foreground trees at the bottom right. The early explorers called the carvings crosses but they were trees showing a connection to the underworld. The word “cross” stuck however.
The temple of the Sun was built at late 7th century during the rule of K’inich Kan Bahlam II as part of the ceremonial plaza of the Temple of the Cross Complex where each of the three main temples are dedicated to one of the deities of the Palenque Triad who were considered the patron gods of the city. The Temple of the Sun was dedicated to the Maya sun god K’inich Taj Wayib’ (Great Sun Torch) also identified as the god GIII incarnated as the fire jaguar that descends to the underworld.[
The Temple of the Foliated Cross is one of three temples in the Cross Group at Palenque, a significant Mayan archaeological site. It was built around 692 AD by Kʼinich Kan Bʼalam II, the ruler of Palenque, to honor the Palenque Triad of deities, particularly God I, also known as Hun Yeh Winkil, associated with the east and royal ancestry. The temple is notable for its unique architectural features and the rich iconography of its interior panel, which depicts a foliated cross, a symbol of maize and the procreative powers of the king. We went inside but there was no “interior panel” today. The architecture was amazing though.
The Temple of the Cross at Palenque is named for the cross-like images found on its walls, which are actually depictions of the World Tree from Maya mythology. This tree is central to their creation story and represents the connection between the heavens, the earth, and the underworld.
Bas-relief carvings in the Temple of the Cross describe the accession of K’inich Kan Balam to the throne of Palenque. Within the inner chamber of these temples bas-relief carvings are found, depicting two figures. At first scientists thought that the smaller figure was K’inich Janaab’ Pakal, Kan Bahlum’s father, and that the bigger figure was K’inich Kan B’ahlam himself. Now, with a greater knowledge of iconography and epigraphy, it is believed that both figurines represent Kan Bahlum: one in his youth at the ritual of passage, and the other at adulthood representing his accession to the throne. Between these figures is the Ceiba, also known as the World Tree.
Representing paths to the Otherworld, each one of the three temples in this area is also dedicated to a certain god in the Palenque triad. These paths to the Otherworld were crucial for the reigning king, since he must take them in order to bring back gifts of life and prosperity to his people. In this group of temples, the most significant is the Temple of the Cross which is associated with the God GI, the first born in the triad, also known as Hunahpu. Human by aspect, he is fable than his brothers because he has a shell earflare, a square-eye and a fish fin on his cheek. He is known to wear the quadripartite Monster as a headdress and he is also associated with the so-called Waterbird. What should be remembered is that Kan-bahlum lived and reigned before any of the triad Gods and that he constructed and built these temples so that the triad gods could put their mark on them.
Again, the weather was comfortable, we were alone and got to climb all over and inside.