Otulum Group: Palenque's unmapped royal neighborhood found in 2000. 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.
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.
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.
Related site: Palenque — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: Palenque: Discoveries You Haven't Seen Before by Archaeologist Ed Barnhart