Palenque
Palenque is an ancient Maya city located in present-day Chiapas, Mexico, renowned for its architectural and artistic achievements. It gained prominence under the rule of King K'inich Janahb' Pakal, who ascended the throne in 615 CE and initiated an ambitious building program that transformed the city into a significant site. The Temple of the Inscriptions, notable for its intricate carvings and the tomb of Pakal, is one of the most important structures in Palenque. Following Pakal, his son K'inich Kan B'alam II continued the expansion, notably constructing the three temples of the Cross Group, which feature panels depicting his lineage. The Great Palace, with its distinctive four-story tower, served various functions, including possibly astronomical observations. Palenque is also significant for its extensive hieroglyphic texts, providing valuable insights into Classic Maya history, religion, and governance. The site was abandoned in the 10th century and later rediscovered by the Spanish in the 18th century, capturing the interest of scholars and visitors alike. Today, Palenque stands as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Maya civilization.
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Palenque
Related civilization: Maya.
Date: 400-800 c.e.
Locale: Chiapas, Mexico
Palenque
Palenque (pah-LEHN-kay)—located in present-day Chiapas, Mexico—was small until King K’inich Janahb’ Pakal assumed the throne in 615 c.e. and began an innovative building program that transformed the city into an imposing site. His most important building was the Temple of the Inscriptions, which contains pictorial and hieroglyphic carvings related to his reign as well as his tomb and his sarcophagus, which has an elaborately carved lid showing him falling down into the Otherworld at the moment of his death.
Palenque was expanded by Pakal’s son, K’inich Kan B’alam II, who is best known for building three distinctive temples called the Cross Group: the Temples of the Cross, Foliated Cross, and Sun. Inside each is a carved panel, showing Kan B’alam as a child and as an adult, which supported his legitimacy as ruler.
Later rulers continued to erect buildings and expanded the Great Palace, a multiroom residence with a unique four-story tower that may have been used as a watchtower and as a place for astronomical observance. The historical record ends at Palenque in the late eighth century c.e. Some of the longest hieroglyphic texts have been found at this site. Its buildings and carved monuments have provided significant information on Classic Maya history, religion, and dynastic rule. The site was emptied in the tenth century and was rediscovered by the Spanish in the eighteenth century.
Bibliography
Coe, Michael D. The Maya. 6th ed. London: Thames and Hudson, 1999.
Schele, Linda, and Peter Mathews. The Code of Kings: The Language of Seven Sacred Temples and Tombs. New York: Scribner, 1998.