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PALENQUE
Located at the edge of the mountainous region of the Lacandon
Forest and the dry lowland of the Yucatán Peninsula,
Palenque formed an ideal location for trade. The site is noted
for the unusual hierarchy of two women rulers. The second
longest inscription in the Maya World is located at Palenque
within the first temple discovered to be built specifically
to house the deceased ruler, Pacal. All of this elaborate
ritual justified his right to rule as he was a descendent
from a women ruler in the normal patriarchal system.
New Discoveries at Palenque: The current Palenque project
has unearthed an elaborate tomb with a painted mural in Temple
XX. The carved and painted throne, bearing an extensive hieroglyphic
text, was found in Temple XIX. Both of these structures are
located in the Cross Group complex. The ruler depicted on
the throne was King Akhal Mo’Nab III (also known as
Chaacal II), who ruled from AD 721-731. Temple XIX also yielded
an 11 foot carved panel with a sculptured image of Akhal Mo’Nab
III, shown with a second royal personage who kneels behind
him and holds his hand.
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