In 1994, archaeologists opened Temple 13 at Palenque, Mexico, finding a chamber sealed for over 1,300 years. The skeleton, bones, jewelry, and walls were coated in vivid red cinnabar. Alongside a jade mask, pearls, obsidian blades, and jade ornaments were recovered. Some researchers believe she may be Queen Tz'akbu Ajaw, wife of Pakal the Great. DNA and isotope testing continue. 🏛️
Tomb of the Red Queen discovered at Palenque sealed for 13 centuries
MexicoGeneral
Key facts
- Discovered in 1994 inside Temple 13 at the ancient Maya city of Palenque
- Located beside the Temple of the Inscriptions where Pakal the Great was buried
- Chamber had remained completely sealed for more than 13 centuries
- Skeleton, bones, jewelry, and tomb walls were coated with vibrant red cinnabar, a mercury-based mineral
- Burial included jade ornaments, pearls, obsidian blades, ceremonial offerings, and a jade mask
- Identity debated; some propose she was Queen Tz'akbu Ajaw, wife of Pakal the Great
- Chamber was re-sealed after study; DNA testing and isotope analysis ongoing
Site mentioned
Sources
Tomb of the Red Queenen.wikipedia.org
The Tomb of the Red Queen is a burial chamber containing the remains of a noblewoman, located inside Temple XIII city of Palenque, dated to between 600 and 700 ...
Red Queen of Palenque (Lady Ix Tz'akbu Ajaw) | Ancient Maya Womenartsq.org
Ancient Maya queen from Palenque (7th century CE). “The Red Queen” is a nickname for the high-status woman buried in a tomb within Temple XIII at Palenque.
The Red Queen and Her Sisters: Women of Power in Golden Kingdomsmetmuseum.org
Lady Tz'akbu Ajaw's funerary monument, now known as Temple XIII, Understandably dubbed the Red Queen, her burial is one of the richest known ...
Who was the Red Queen? Identity of the female Maya dignitary from ...pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
by V Tiesler · 2004 · Cited by 40 — Red Queen, a Classic Maya dignitary discovered in Temple XIII at Palenque, Mexico, Red Queen as Lady Ix Tz'akb'u Ajaw (Ahpo Hel), the wife of Janaab' Pakal, ...
The Red Queenmesoweb.com
by AG Cruz · Cited by 7 — This tomb comprises a sarcophagus placed inside a mortuary chamber. It can be considered as one of the richest ever found, is now popularly known as the Temple ...
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