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Palenque
 Set
in the foothills of the Tumbalá mountains of
Chiapas Mexico, Palenque is situated on a ledge overlooking
the swampy plains that stretch northward all the way
to the Gulf coast. Perhaps it is this positioning between
two worlds, that gives Palenque a mystical charm that
enchants scientist and tourist alike. The vista of the
flat plains to the north, and the misty green of the
lush mountain backdrop to the south, captures the imagination
of modern visitors and most certainly inspired ancient
artists and architects
 This
ancient Maya site is located at the western frontier
of the lowland Maya region. While the name Palenque
comes from a nearby village, it is possible that the
village was named after the ancient city or something
similar sounding - bahlam kin - jaguar sun - the place
where the sun descends into the underworld, the realm
of the jaguar.
It was the flood plain of the Usumacinta to the north
that most likely provided Palenque's inhabitants with
the resources to construct their extraordinary city.
Blessed with the highest average rainfall in Mexico,
this fertile alluvial plain could have been successfully
farmed with raised beds, and would have produced a harvest
that not only could sustain a large workforce but would
also have provided an abundance that could be traded
along the great Usumacinta. It seems that the gods were
as enchanted with Palenque as today's visitors.
Architecture
 The
architecture of Palenque was truly inventive. They reduced
the massive weight of the traditional corbel arch by
reducing its span with a dividing wall and the use of
tribolated hollows that minimized the stress on load
bearing walls. This allowed the Palenque builders to
construct buildings with multiple piers and doorways
on the front to let air and light into the interior.
Mansard roofs decorated with stucco carvings and horizontal
moldings gave the Palenque structures a pleasing linear
appearance.
The most notable structures of Palenque are the Palace
& the Temple of Inscriptions both begun during the
reign of Hanab Pacal and added to by his sons, Chan
Bahlum and Kan Xul. Also built during Pacal's lifetime
was the temple now called the "Temple of the Count"
after the artist/adventurer, Count de Waldek who camped
out in the temple in 1831 while creating fanciful illustrations
of the site.
You can learn more about new finds that are still being
uncovered by archaeologists in Palenque at http://www.mesoweb.com/palenque.
 To
the west of the main plaza is the first temple built
by Pacal, known as the Temple Olvidado. Here one can
see the first attempts at many of the architectural
features seen in subsequent construction: the tribolated
vaults and the double room interior with a thin supporting
wall.
Other structures at Palenque include Temple XIII adjacent
to the Temple of the Inscriptions. In 1994 a secret
door was discovered that led to the interior of the
pyramid and an underground temple with three rooms.
In the middle room was a solid stone coffin with the
remains of a woman who archaeologists have called the
"Red Queen" because she was covered in cinnabar.
There are no inscriptions to identify this apparently
royal person. In June 1997 DNA tests were performed
on the skeleton of Pacal to determine his relationship
with this unknown woman. Results have yet to be published.
 Also
on the same mound is Temple XII, the first structure
visitors see as they enter the site. It is also known
as the temple of the Skull and the Temple of the Dead
Moon. During 1992-94 over 500 objects were excavated
from this Temple. Temple XIV is alongside the Temple
of the Sun. The temple is in poor condition but a relief
similar to the others in the cross group is on the rear
wall.
The Northern Group consists of four temples, aligned
on an artificially leveled terrace. Most notable is
the small structure with a pagoda-type roof which inspired
some early explorers to connect the site with the Orient.The
Ball Court is just north of the Palace and remains unexcavated.
There is a natural pool just below a waterfall on the
Otulum river which is known as the Queen's Bath and
it is still used as a bathing spot.
More
Palenque Pictures
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