Palenque's Otulum Group sits directly across the Otulum River from the Palace, within stone-throwing distance of the city center. It holds 78 buildings on massive terraces, including pyramids and multi-story elite residences. Researchers believe it may have housed K'inich Kan Bahlam ('Kalam') and his royal family. Barnhart's team mapped the area in 2000 — making it completely unknown before then, and still awaiting any professional excavation.
Otulum Group: Palenque's unmapped royal neighborhood found in 2000

Key facts
- The Otulum group is located directly across the Otulum River from the Palace, within stone-throwing distance of Palenque's city center.
- It contains 78 buildings constructed on huge terraces, including pyramids and multi-story elite residences with exposed architecture.
- The group is considered the neighborhood of the royal family, possibly the residence of K'inich Kan Bahlam (referred to as 'Kalam'), given its proximity to the Cross Group.
- The area was completely unknown before Barnhart's team mapped it in the year 2000.
- No professional excavation has ever been conducted at the Otulum group.
Site mentioned
Sources
Mayan Ruins at Palenque | Architecture | Research Startersebsco.com
This archaeological site covers over six hundred acres and features around two hundred structures, including temples and a palace, all set against the backdrop ...
Pre-Hispanic City and National Park of Palenquewhc.unesco.org
The archaeological site of Palenque in the state of Chiapas is one of the most outstanding Classic period sites of the Maya area, known for its exceptional ...
918 Palenque Ruins Images and Stock Photosgettyimages.com
Browse 918 authentic palenque ruins stock photos, high-res images, and pictures, or explore additional chichen itza or tulum ruins stock images to find the ...
Palenquelugares.inah.gob.mx
A dazzling city (400 – 900 AD), it lay hidden in the jungle for many centuries, and was the seat of the powerful dynasty of king Pakal.
Palenque Ruins - Chiapaslocogringo.com
Palenque is one of the most studied and documented Mayan archeological ruins. The known history about Palenque is more than we can provide here. The ongoing ...
Was this story useful?
Keep exploring
Every site on this page sits on the globe, and the people who research them are on the Discord.
3D Globe · Sites by country · Story Archive · Research Library · Weekly Journal · Search
AI-generated text · images from the original sources · always verify with the sources.
