Located in the foothills of the Chiapas altiplano of modern Mexico, Palenque was an important Maya city which flourished between c. 600 and 750 CE. The name Palenque derives from the Spanish, meaning 'fortified place', but the original Maya name, we now know, was Lakamha. Situated where the highland and coastal plains join, the site prospered as an inland trade centre which allowed Palenque to control a large territory and form beneficial alliances with other powerful cities such as Tikal, Pomoná, and Tortuguero. Palenque is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
More about: PalenqueDefinition
Timeline
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250 CE - 950 CEThe Classic Maya Period which saw the height of the Maya Civilization in cities such as Chichen Itza, Palenque, Tikal, Copan and Uxmal.
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431 CE - 435 CEReign of Maya king Kuk Bahlam I at Palenque.
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435 CE - 487 CEReign of the Maya king known as 'Casper' at Palenque.
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487 CE - 501 CEReign of Maya king Butzaj Sak Chiik at Palenque.
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501 CE - 524 CEReign of Maya king Ahkal Mo Nahb I at Palenque.
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529 CE - 565 CEReign of Maya king Kan Joy Chitam I at Palenque.
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565 CE - 570 CEReign of Maya king Ahkal Mo Nahb II at Palenque.
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572 CE - 583 CEReign of Maya king Kan Bahlam I at Palenque.
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583 CE - 604 CEReign of Maya queen Lady Yohl Iknal at Palenque.
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605 CE - 612 CEReign of Maya king Ajen Yohl Mat at Palenque.
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612 CE - 615 CEReign of Maya king Muwaan Mat at Palenque.
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615 CE - 683 CEReign of Kinich Janaab Pacal I or Pakal the Great, king of Maya Palenque.
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c. 682 CEThe Temple of the Inscriptions is completed at Palenque and is to be used as the tomb of Pakal the Great.
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684 CE - 702 CEReign of Maya king Kinich Kan Bahlam I (Chan Bahlum) at Palenque.
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692 CEThe Group of the Cross temples at Palenque are dedicated to various Maya gods.
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702 CE - c. 720 CEReign of Maya king Kinich Kan Joy Chitam II at Palenque.
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721 CE - c. 736 CEReign of Maya king Kinich Ahkal Mo Nahb III at Palenque.
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c. 721 CEConstruction of the tower and northern buildings of the Palace of Palenque.
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c. 742 CEKinich Janaab Pakal II reigns as king of Maya Palenque.
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c. 751 CEKinich Kan Bahlam III reigns as king of Maya Palenque.
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764 CE - c. 783 CEReign of Maya king Kinich Kuk Bahlam II at Palenque.
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799 CEJanaab Pakal III reigns as king of Maya Palenque.
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c. 800 CEThe Maya city of Palenque is abandoned.
