Palenque Chiapas Mexico, Archaeological Site
Travel Or Tour Pictures And Photos Page Two

George And Audrey DeLange

Photo Of Original "Tablet of the Sun," From The "Temple Of The Sun", 692 A.D.

Tour Continued From Page One. After leaving The Temple Of Inscriptions, North of the temple, the trail divides with one part going North along the West side of the Palace, the other part of the trail continues to the East and takes a footbridge across "The Aqueduct", which is a man made, rock lined, part of the Rio Otolum. The route takes us up a small ridge toward the South into the Cross Group, named such because of the cross located on the "Temple Of The Cross" in that group. We took the trail into the Cross Group and visited the temples in that area. The Cross Group is Palenque's second greatest complex. Our trail takes us South to Temple 15 on our right. Temple 15 is a low flat platform. If we look to the left we see the West side of The Temple Of The Cross. Continuing South and to the right we see Temple 14 which is larger than Temple 15. Temple 14 is made of two tiers and it is located next to The Temple Of The Sun, which is to the South of Temple 14. Temple XIV was probably built by Kan Balaam II's successor, K'inich K'an Joy Chitam II. Archaeologists have found a burial of 18 skeletons and some elaborate incense burners which are now in the site museum (see our museum page), in the plaza behind Temple XIV and between Temple XV. Continuing South we see the smallest of the three main temples of the "Cross Group." It is the "Temple of the Sun" rising up on the west side of the plaza. We climb 17 steps up and then another seven steps to the top of this temple. The roof contains pieces of a stucco monster mask relief, while on the roofcomb we can actually see the legs of a large god like figure who is seated at the top center and then we see the remains of a row of smaller gods sitting below. The center two piers have standing figures; with headdresses. The left and right piers are glyphs with a cartouche on the left pier. The next structure we see is the "Temple of the Foliated Cross," which is built against the hillside on the east side of the plaza. It was probably the last of the "Cross Group" that was built. Like each of the "Cross Group" structures, it is topped with a small temple with three doorways, a mansard roof, and a roofcomb. We enter a wide outer room with three doorways opening along the back. The left and right doors enter small vaulted chambers, while the center takes you to the sanctuary. The sanctuary looks like a small one room temple. On the back wall we see the Tablet of the Foliated Cross. On the left stands Kan B'alam II, opposite him is Lord Pakal. Pakal is passing on to Kan B'alam II the symbols of royal power. Between them rises the Foliated Cross, representing the World Tree, with maize stalks, symbolizing maize as the source of life. Next we move on a short distance to the North and we come to "The Temple of the Cross." It is the largest of the three pyramids that occupies the north end of the "Cross Group" plaza. Its main staircase faces away from the rest of the city. We climbed five tiers to reach the temple at the top. Its roofcomb is the highest one at Palenque. From here we had a wonderful view of all of the "Cross Group" structures. Its interior designt is the same as the other temples, only more spacious. The temple's left doorjamb shows Kan B'alam II in full kingly regalia on January 20, 690 A.D. at the end of a ten day ritual following his accession. The opposite door jamb shows God L, an aged cigar-smoking god who guided Kan-B'alam on his journey. The Tablet of the Cross-panel inside the temple shows Kan B'alam II and Pakal during the accession ritual just before the dead Pakal has handed over the scepter of power. Between them rises the World Tree showing its role as the axis of the Universe, arising from the underworld to the Heavens with all four directions coming from it. The interior temple shows Kan Balaam II's ascent to the throne. This time, he is shown in war and sacrifice. The back wall contains the "Tablet of the Sun". From the Cross Group, a path drops and crosses the Rio Otolum to Palenque's Palace, one of the most complicated structures in Mesoamerica. This complex of courtyards separated by long "houses" with corridors was the central ritual and perhaps residential space of Palenque's rulers. Many of the rooms contained ornate benches that were probably used as thrones. On the walls you can see holes for pegs holding tapestries to divide rooms and cover doorways. Based on a three-meter-tall platform, the Palace was built in many stages from the early, now-subterranean structures to the multistory Tower, erected just before the city's collapse. THIS TOUR IS CONTINUED ON THE PALENQUE PALACE PAGE