Category Archives: Mexico

Palenque Mayan Ruins

. Our Washington State to Argentina Adventure ., . Our World Tour Adventure ., Chiapas, Mexico

Thursday October 8, 2015

We spent 11 days cycling here from Puerto Escondido and spent the day exploring the ruins. It was fascinating to see the Mayan pyramids, temples, and housing areas mixed in with the intense jungle growth. The noise from howler monkeys was awesome even though we did not see them.

It was a great day to spend in the past.

Palenque was a Mayan city state in southern Mexico that flourished in the 7th century. The Palenque ruins date from ca. 226 BC to ca. AD 799.
Palenque was a Mayan city state in southern Mexico that flourished in the 7th century. The Palenque ruins date from ca. 226 BC to ca. AD 799.
By 2005 over 1500 buildings were discovered in one square mile of the jungle.
By 2005 over 1500 buildings were discovered in one square mile of the jungle.
This is one of the most recent findings.
This is one of the most recent findings.

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All of the buildings look like this when found. The dirt and plant growth are then carefully removed and through the use of electronic equipment the general shape is found and doors discovered.
All of the buildings look like this when found. The dirt and plant growth are then carefully removed and through the use of electronic equipment the general shape is found and doors discovered.
This set of three temples contained two kings and a queen. The oldest temples are on the right (east) and city growth moves to the west.
This set of three temples contained two kings and a queen. The oldest temples are on the right (east) and city growth moves to the west.
A queen's sarcophagus. The red tint is from the chemical used to preserve her remains. The skeleton is at a university.
A queen’s sarcophagus. The red tint is from the chemical used to preserve her remains. The skeleton is at a university.
A small chamber leading to the sarcophagus.
A small chamber leading to the sarcophagus.
The Palace of Palenque. At one point all this was covered in Plaster. There were two classes of people the nobility and commoners. The commoners built the structures by carrying rocks across the mountain on the other side. At this time there were no horses, mules, etc to do the labor.
The Palace of Palenque. At one point all this was covered in Plaster. There were two classes of people the nobility and commoners. The commoners built the structures by carrying rocks across the mountain on the other side. At this time there were no horses, mules, etc to do the labor.
We love this stuff!
We love this stuff!
When the Spaniards arrived in the 1500's they brought crosses to erect only to find out that the Mayans also used crosses.
When the Spaniards arrived in the 1500’s they brought crosses to erect only to find out that the Mayans also used crosses.
Blue and red pigmentation were the most common colors. At one point plaster covered all the rocks (walls and floors). Most of the plaster is long gone.
Blue and red pigmentation were the most common colors. At one point plaster covered all the rocks (walls and floors). Most of the plaster is long gone.
The palace courtyard used for sport and plays.
The palace courtyard used for sport and plays.
The Mayans were way advanced over the Aztecs when it came to building arches.
The Mayans were way advanced over the Aztecs when it came to building arches.
This is really cool except that the face is gone. The palace had a king's portrait gallery.
This is really cool except that the face is gone. The palace had a king’s portrait gallery.
Here are several others along the wall.
Here are several others along the wall.
All of the kings and queens were found with jade masks covering their heads.
All of the kings and queens were found with jade masks covering their heads.
Where did they come up with a dragon? So Chinese.
Where did they come up with a dragon? So Chinese.

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The top structure was on most temples. The times of the year to plant was dependent on the aligning of the sun and planets. Light traveling through each open square was recorded over the years. When the light was in a certain square it was time to plant. Life revolved around the stars.
The top structure was on most temples. The times of the year to plant was dependent on the aligning of the sun and planets. Light traveling through each open square was recorded over the years. When the light was in a certain square it was time to plant. Life revolved around the stars.
Temples and housing areas everywhere.
Temples and housing areas everywhere.
Jocelyn and Spumoni (from here Grandmother Polly). Spumoni has traveled the world on a bike!
Jocelyn and Spumoni (from here Grandmother Polly). Spumoni has traveled the world on a bike!
Three temples to the gods.
Three temples to the gods.
Another long steep climb. No human sacrifices here as in the Aztecs.
Another long steep climb. No human sacrifices here as in the Aztecs.
Only few carvings remain intact on the ruins. Several have been removed and placed in a museum that we also toured.
Only few carvings remain intact on the ruins. Several have been removed and placed in a museum that we also toured.
We really enjoyed Palenque.
We really enjoyed Palenque.
Leaving the ruins and walking through the jungle.
Leaving the ruins and walking through the jungle.
After fighting a battle and winning the Mayans ate all their enemies by cooking them in a corn soup called Pozole. It is available today without meat.
After fighting a battle and winning the Mayans ate all their enemies by cooking them in a corn soup called Pozole. It is available today without meat.
This sarcophagus was found on the highest temple. It was a real "Indiana Jones" finding. The first step was removal of 4 stone plugs. This moved the rock the professor was standing on. A large slab was removed and subsequent puzzle findings over the next four years revealed this king's tomb. His skeleton has also been removed.
This sarcophagus was found on the highest temple. It was a real “Indiana Jones” finding. The first step was removal of 4 stone plugs. This moved the rock the professor was standing on. A large slab was removed and subsequent puzzle findings over the next four years revealed this king’s tomb. His skeleton has also been removed.
This shows the carvings and meanings on the king's sarcophagus.
This shows the carvings and meanings on the king’s sarcophagus.
Vendors sell this drawing of the king's sarcophagus on leather.
Vendors sell this drawing of the king’s sarcophagus on leather.
Another very interesting feature. Looking at it horizontally it looks like the king is on a rocket ship!
Another very interesting feature. Looking at it horizontally it looks like the king is on a rocket ship!
Beautiful tropical growth.
Beautiful tropical growth.
Near the ruins are several camp grounds available. If we had known this yesterday we would have cycled there and camped. Although the mosquitoes, humidity and heat are ferocious.
Near the ruins are several camp grounds available. If we had known this yesterday we would have cycled there and camped. Although the mosquitoes, humidity and heat are ferocious.