PALENQUE-The Ruins
Palenque is one of the most important Maya cities of the Classical Period ( 250 -900 AD) and was a capital city that ruled vast regions of the current States of Chiapas and Tabasco.
Almost 90% of the original Mayan city remains hidden in the jungle, awaiting a future generation of archaeologists to uncover even more secrets.
It was not the best of days to photograph as it was raining hard.
I could don’t linger in choosing best views etc and the lens was wet all the time.
However it did leave the site relatively uncluttered by people.
Above an illustration of Palenque from 1897
Above- Funery dress of King Pakal
Below- His mask was completely made of jade.
Above and Below-The Red Queen was the wife of King Pakal (615 to 683 AD) and was not originally from Palenque or related to the rulers. Her dead body was covered in cinnabar and heavily ornamented.
Below one of several incense holders which were about 4 feet high
Below the lid of King Pakal’s sarcophagus
Below-photos by
Here is a post of El Tajin, another Mayan site in Veracruz State not far from Palenque.