Palenque is in the jungle of eastern Chiapas, next to the Yucatan. Mayas lived here from 300 AD, first as a small city on the edge of the Maya "world" with trade ties to other peoples. In the 600s, when the Maya civilization reached its heights, Palenque's wars with neighboring cities yielded tribute, captives, power and wealth and its rulers commissioned some of the finest artworks and structures known. We were fascinated with its building complexes, and especially impressed by the artwork such as stuccos and the numerous bas-reliefs carved in the stone walls.
We can show only examples of this vast site.
The picture at immediate right is of "The Palace."
Continuing clockwise is its tower called "The
Observatory."
Next you see a bowing figure in front of a
standing ruler.
Then, a detail picture from the hieroglyphics
column of the preceding picture. Sculls are a
popular theme in all Mexico.
