Palenque
Palenque
Mexico · Chiapas
In brief
Palenque is a Maya city known for its temples, palaces and sculpture. Excavations have also revealed residential, production and burial areas around the ceremonial center.
What was found?
- 1Pakal's tomb and stone sarcophagus lid
The tomb inside the Temple of the Inscriptions contains the sarcophagus holding the remains of the ruler Pakal and its stone lid. The tomb documents the burial arrangement of a Maya ruler within a monumental temple.
- 2Palace complex
This complex consists of courtyards, passageways, underground corridors, and numerous buildings. Alongside serving as the residence of the ruling elite, it had administrative and ceremonial functions.
- 3Stone and stucco reliefs
Reliefs on palace and temple walls depict Maya mythology and ceremonies. Together with writing and calendrical elements, they make it possible to study the history and worldview of the ruling class.
- 4CP3 burial chamber
The chamber reported in 2023 contained primary and secondary burials and an offering consisting of plates. According to researchers, some remains may have been placed here when the chamber was reopened.
- 5Greenstone figures
Various greenstone figures were found in a niche in the CP3 burial chamber. They document that the tomb contained carefully placed objects as well as human remains.
What does it point to?
At Palenque, governance, dynastic history, and religious narratives come together within the same architectural setting. While the reliefs show how elites presented themselves, the tombs reveal different forms of burial and commemorative practices.
What did it teach us?
- Pakal's tomb revealed a ruler's monumental burial arrangement within a temple.
- It documented that the palace combined residential, administrative, and ceremonial functions.
- According to researchers, the CP3 finds provided evidence of practices such as reopening tombs and moving remains.
Images

Latest news / selected archive
In 2023, the discovery of a burial chamber containing human remains, three plates and greenstone figures within the archaeological site was announced.
Record
- Culture
- Maya
- Team / historical
- National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH)
- Coordinates
- 17.4833°, -92.0500°
Sources
- whc.unesco.org
- inah.gob.mx
- gob.mx
- UNAM — Pakal'ın lahit kapağına ilişkin koruma çalışması
- INAH — Palenque Sarayı
- INAH — CP3 mezar odasının keşif duyurusu
Nearby excavations
- Calakmul 247 km
- Tikal 259 km
- Ancient City of Uxmal 400 km
- Copan 428 km
- Joya de Cerén Archaeological Site 498 km
- Monte Alban 503 km
- —
- —
- 12.000
From beneath the soil: latest discoveries
- 2,600-year-old mudbrick structure identified beneath the city of Buto in Egypt
The walls of a large mudbrick structure identified through satellite and geophysical surveys were confirmed by a trial excavation. According to the researchers, a layer of sand placed beneath the foundations may have helped protect the structure in the waterlogged ground of the Nile Delta.
Heritage Daily ↗ · Excavation notebook - Celtic woman's grave containing jewelry and animal remains found in Germany
A woman's skeleton, heavy bronze anklets, a sapropelite arm ring, and the remains of a lamb or kid were found in the grave in Bavaria. According to the researchers, placing the animal in the grave as a food offering represents an unusual example of Celtic funerary practices in the region.
Arkeofili ↗ - Cupboard containing personal belongings, childhood amulets and coins found in Pompeii
Grooming items, 38 bronze coins and a necklace made up of at least 24 amulets were found in a cupboard in a house in Pompeii that had remained closed since the eruption in AD 79. The preservation of these objects together provides detailed information about everyday life and personal mementos in Roman times.
Arkeofili ↗ · Excavation notebook - Lead seal of a bishop named Stefan found in Croatia
Excavations on the islet of Lukovac uncovered a document seal bearing the name Stefan and the title of bishop in Latin. According to the researchers, the seal, tentatively dated to the 6th–7th centuries, offers rare evidence of early church administration in a region with limited written sources.
Heritage Daily ↗ - Roman-period sarcophagus of a child buried with toys found in Romania
A wheeled toy horse, a rooster-shaped rattle, jewelry and organic remains were recovered from a sealed child’s sarcophagus dating back approximately 1,800 years in the ancient city of Tomis. The preservation of wooden coffin fragments and the shroud also offers a rare opportunity to study child burials in Roman times.
HeritageDaily ↗ - Roman-period grave found in the seating area of the ancient theater in Gölyazı
A tile-covered grave dating to the 1st century AD and containing cremated human remains was uncovered in the theater of Apollonia ad Rhyndacum. Why the burial took place in the theater despite the city having a separate cemetery remains unknown; the find raises new questions about the use of public spaces.
Arkeofili ↗ - Marble portrait of Antinoos and 13 inscriptions found at Teos
A marble portrait of Antinoos and 13 inscriptions on reused stone blocks were found around the Temple of Roma and Augustus at Teos. The inscriptions shed light on the city’s political and legal relations, while researchers say the portrait and inscription fragments show that the temple was also connected to the cult of Antinoos.
Arkeofili ↗ · Excavation notebook - New prehistoric settlement identified on the shore of the Dardanelles
A newly published study presented Yaylatepe Höyük, identified during surface surveys in 2024, and its pottery spanning the end of the Late Chalcolithic to the beginning of the Late Bronze Age for the first time. According to the researcher, the settlement, which has a visual connection with Asartepe on the opposite shore, contributes to understanding prehistoric coastal connections along the strait.
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