PALENQUE MAYANS

Temple where Sunflower Shield's tomb was found

The Mayans were an old civilization that lived in Southern Mexico and Central America. They built their cities out of rocks like limestone. Their cities had a lot of temples with steep stairs. There were tombs under the temples. One of their rulers at Palenque was named Sunflower Shield or Lord Pakal. Sixty years ago archaeologists found his tomb. He was the ruler from 615-683, over 1400 years ago.

We visited the ruins in Palenque and saw the temple that Sunflower Shield was buried in. When he died his son Jaguar Serpent took over the city. I climbed the steep temples where they lived. I also saw some of the masks that they wore on their heads.

When the Mayans left Palenque the jungle took over and buried the city. When we went to the ruins we saw buildings still covered in the jungle.

Temple

Observatory tower.

Mayan mask

Me on one of the temples