The Temple of the Inscriptions at Palenque is one of the most significant Mesoamerican funerary monuments, built to house the tomb of the great Maya ruler
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The Temple of the Inscriptions at Palenque is one of the most significant Mesoamerican funerary monuments, built to house the tomb of the great Maya ruler K'inich Janaab Pakal. Within it, Alberto Ruz Lhuillier discovered Pakal's ornate sarcophagus in 1952, its elaborately carved lid depicting the king descending into the underworld, an image that has inspired alternative interpretations from astronaut theorists.
This archaeological photograph documents important features of ancient sites and artifacts. Captured by Peter Andersen, this image provides visual evidence relevant to ongoing archaeological research and theoretical debates. Browse related photographs, explore the connected archaeological sites, and learn about the theories this image relates to in our comprehensive gallery collection.