📷 Yohantha Gunawarna · Pexels

Where in the world

Mexico

Palenque

Maya · Mexico

Field notes

civilizations: Maya
types: City · Temple · Palace · Pyramid tomb · Aqueduct
built: 400 CE — 800 CE
occupied: 100 BCE — 900 CE
country: Mexico

The site

Palenque is a Maya city-state in the jungles of Chiapas, southern Mexico, active from around 100 BCE until its decline in the ninth century. Though medium-sized, it holds some of the finest architecture, sculpture, and bas-relief carving the Maya ever produced, crowned by delicate roof combs. Much of its dynastic history has been recovered by reading the hieroglyphic inscriptions carved across its temples and palace.

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