The Very Interesting Ancient City Of Palenque And The Mayan Ruler King Pakal II

The Very Interesting Ancient City Of Palenque And The Mayan Ruler King Pakal II

by Frank D. Gardner

It would take 15 minutes for a traveler to arrive the Palenque archaeological site from the town of Palenque in the Chiapas State of Mexico. In this archaeological site, impressive structures and many archaeological finds can be found, making this ancient city very interesting for those who want to know more about this ancient civilization. Moreover, thi is the city that was ruled by The Great King Pakal II who was one of the most recognized Mayan rulers.

Tours To The Ancient Maya City Of Palenque

This very old city is now a National Park and there are great tours offered to this place. There is a museum that can be visited wherein one can see a number of treasures that are on display. If you are done visiting the museum, one can opt to explore the jungle and cross the hanging bridge that will lead you to 'The Queen's Bath', which is a well known sweet water creek. You may also go to 'The Temple of the Cross', 'The Palace', and the 'Temple of the Inscriptions' which is the most remarkable and also the most important ancient structure dominating the plaza where the Tumba real or grave of King Pakal (K'nich Kan B'alam) is found.

Palenque's Museum

Treasures such as statues of Kan B'alam taken from the Temple Of The Cross can be found in the museum. One of the statues is a full statue and the other is a stucco head. The museum also displays the beautifully restored throne which was taken from The Palace. Other archaeological remains are found in this museum.

The Palace Of Palenque

Palenque's palace is a complex of a number of connected as well as adjacent building structures and courtyards. During the Mayan era, it served as a place for ritual and a residential quarter for the city's ruler. Ornate benches can be seen in most of the rooms in the Palace. These benches were used as thrones by the rulers. You'll also find holes on the walls that could have been used for pegs that held tapestries, which are used to cover the doorways as well as to separate the rooms. Constructed at different times and in many stages, The Tower was the last structure built prior to the abandonment of the city. Courtyards, houses and buildings comprised and divided the entire Palace, making it complex and an impressive structure.

The Temple Of The Cross Complex

Under the rule of the Great King Pakal II, The Temple of the Cross was built to commemorate the important dates in his life up to his succession to the throne. There are rumors spreading that the King might be actually laid to rest here and not on the Temple of the Inscription. This temple is also in pyramid form. A statue of Kan B'alam is on the top part with his father the first King Pakal in a smaller figure in front. Various other researches nevertheless deemed that the two figures could possibly be both Kan B'alam, one showing him as a young man plus the other as the king. The Tree or the Holy Ceiba can be found between the figures which represents the entrance to the otherworld.

The Significant Temple of the Inscriptions

This temple is deemed to be among the most significant discoveries during the Mesoamerican era. Although, this pyramid is not as majestic and dominating compared to others yet it is very significant owing to the fact that it holds the tomb of one of the most well known ancient Mayan rulers, The Great Kan B'alam II. For 68 years, the king ruled over the city and he was just 12 years of age when he was enthroned. This made his tomb the most popular among the Maya ruins. A 5 ton richly decorated sculptured sarcophagus lid, measuring 12 by 7 feet covers the tomb stylishly. The tomb was undisturbed during the time it was discovered. The cover was considerably and meticulously etched with the elegantly dressed king descending into the otherworld.

Tours to this National Park takes more than one day. The area can be explored for two to three days. This would enable one to really discover and enjoy its beauty and wonder of the ancient Maya civilization.



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