Palenque's 7th-century Temple of the Inscriptions, built under Pakal the Great and rising about 27 m, held his tomb. Alberto Ruz Lhuillier discovered it in 1952, revealing a roughly 7-ton limestone sarcophagus with a lid carving of Pakal descending into the underworld. Pakal's body bore jade ornaments and a jade mosaic mask. The Red Queen was found in nearby Temple 13—not the Temple of the Inscriptions—with cinnabar covering her body and sarcophagus, plus a jade mask and sacrificed individuals. She may have been Pakal's wife, Lady Tz'akbu Ajaw.
Palenque's Temple of Inscriptions held Pakal's tomb; the Red Queen lay in Temple 13
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Key facts
- The Temple of the Inscriptions was built in the 7th century AD under Pakal the Great and rises about 27 m (nearly 90 ft).
- Alberto Ruz Lhuillier discovered Pakal's tomb inside the Temple of the Inscriptions in 1952.
- The tomb contained a roughly 7-ton limestone sarcophagus whose carved lid depicts Pakal descending into the underworld.
- Pakal's body was adorned with jade ornaments and a jade mosaic mask.
- The Red Queen was found in nearby Temple 13, not inside the Temple of the Inscriptions; her body and sarcophagus were covered with red cinnabar, and her tomb contained a jade mosaic mask and sacrificed individuals.
- Lady Tz'akbu Ajaw, probably Pakal's wife, is the leading candidate for the Red Queen's identity.
Sources
Discovering an ancient Maya king's tomb at Palenque — artsq.orgartsq.org
In 1949, Ruz began excavating the tallest building at the ancient Maya site of Palenque, known today as the Temple of Inscriptions.
Palenque: Temple of the Inscriptions & Tomb of Pakal - Maya Ruinsmayaruins.com
The nine-level Temple of the Inscriptions stands just south of the Palace. Set directly into the hill behind, it is highlighted and framed by the landscape.
Palenque | Living Maya Time - Smithsonian Institutionmaya.nmai.si.edu
The crypt within the Temple of the Inscriptions houses the sarcophagus lid of Pakal's tomb. The lid depicts Pakal's re-birth as the maize god and the ...
Temple Of Inscriptions Images and Stock Photosgettyimages.com
The Temple of Inscriptions in Palenque showing the nine levels of the world below and the Tomb of the King by Pascal who died in 683, Mexico. Mayan...
Palenque (Classic Period) - Smarthistorysmarthistory.org
The Temple of the Inscriptions has been called the greatest Maya funerary pyramid and gets its name from the relief panels inside the temple
Temple of the Inscriptions | temple, Palenque, Mexicobritannica.com
The Temple of the Inscriptions is a significant structure within the ancient Mayan city of Palenque, located in modern-day Chiapas state, ...
Temple of the Inscriptionsen.wikipedia.org
The Temple of the Inscriptions is the largest Mesoamerican stepped pyramid structure at the pre-Columbian Maya civilization site of Palenque, located in the ...
The Tomb of K'inich Janaab Pakalmesoweb.com
by S Guenter · Cited by 23 — The Temple of the Inscriptions of Palenque is one of the most famous structures of the ancient Maya world. It has received the attention of countless scholars
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