A stucco modelled bas relief, in the shape of the skull of a rabbit, gives this temple its name. In the inscriptions at Palenque Baak, or bone, is the name given to the local dynasty. The decoration on the portico's pillar may be interpreted as a defleshed rabbit, often interpreted as the symbol of Palenque or its emblem glyph. At the base of the building a room with a vault was located . It contained some human bone fragments and a large collection of jade objects. Jade jewelry was only worn by the Maya elite. Jade is a precious material, that is only found on the Motagua River in Guatemala. So long distance trading at Palenque was no doubt a common practise.

The Temple of the Skull, or Temple XII, is next to Temple XIII. Both were built on top of a large platform, and were possibly built in the VIIIth Century AD. Each building had a stairway that lead to the top of the temples. These temples at the top were built on previous buildings, according to archaeologists, dated around the VI Century. Those buildings must have been very important, and were used as graves for some of the most important figures in Palenque's dynasty. One of these buildings held a tomb which contained more than 700 pieces of jade, including one that had the emblem glyph of the city of Pomona and is dated Februay 20th, 697 AD.

Pomona (an ancient city in Tabasco) was named B'alam or Jaguar in ancient times. It cannot be assured that the character buried here was a ruler. Apparently Pomona & Palenque maintained an alliance, as in texts at Pomona a visit of the Palenque kings is recorded in 751 AD.

skulltemple.htm it should be Jaguartempel

The Temple of the Jaguar is Temple VI . He is a little south from the temple of the sun in an area that is not restored today. It is not always possible to visit this area.

skulltemple.htm but it must be Temple of the Count. It should find a place in the North Group (Christian, make the linke to Temple of the count. But let it on this position. May be, Carla will it have on a own place and not in the Noth group)

The Temple of the Count is called that because of an excentric explorer, Frederick Waldeck, who made this temple his home for 2 years at age 60, between 1831 and 1833. The temple was originally constructed in 647 AD and is part of the North Group. The Temple is built in the typical design for Palenques temples: a three-entrance portico and an inner passageway split into a central room and two side rooms . The handsome buildings on the North group and the ballcourt are all North of the Palace.

Count De Waldeck wrote the Mystique of Palenque, a book in which he recounts that Palenque was the mythological and lost city of Atlantis and an extension of ancient Egypt. This building has bas relief decorations modelled in stucco on its pillasts. In the course of its exploration three tombs with offerings were found. These offerings are shell beads, bone objects and also little snail shells with punctuations so that it is possible to use them as pendants.

Looking south over the Great Plaza . From left to right are the Cross Group, the Palace, the Temple of the Inscriptions, Temple XIII (where the Red Queen was found), Temple XII-A and Temple XII (also known as the Temple of the Skull or the Temple of the Dead Moon) In this part, this make not really a sense or you need a sentence before as an introduction.

Group I + II (they must have an own link)

These Groups belong the the living Groups of the site. There are build on the limestone hills and following the lay of the land. The buildings are connected by terrasses ans courtyards that are generally provided with entrances and stairways. All have had a roof construction with a vault. This and the fact that the buildings were made from stone speak for a part of population with some value. Whe you go to this places you will find a wild romantic part of the city. You will find a lot of structures surrounding with high trees.

You came to this part when you came from the bano de reina and go down the waterfall. After a while you find a Wegweiser that lead you on a pfad that go to the left side. In these groups also begins a stairway that bring you again up to the main part of the city behind the North Group.

Bano de la Reina (need a own link)

This is one of the beautiful places in Palenque . That so called bano de la reina is fromed from the Otolum River . Today it is not allowed to take a bath in this nice pool but it is a very good place for a rest. Sitting in the shadow and hearing the sound of the water.

Group C (need a own link)

This group is near from the Bano de Reina. It is in the east section of Palenque between the Bat and the Balunte creeks. These group cosists of various plazzas and buildings. Some of the vaults standing. The buildings have a rectangular layout an narrow corridors. The archaeologist found several human burials in this group also an abundance of ceramic and lithic material. The group dated to 750 – 800 A.D.

Group Murcielagos (need a link)

This Group was a living group in the last time of Palenques history. It consists by a large number of buildings and lay between the Otolum River and the Bat brooks. The buildings are constructed of low platforms and the interior is subdivisions in varios ways. They have one or two level connected with narrow stairs. Some of the rooms have tombs under the floor. In this area were also found things for the daily live. So it is clear, it must be a living space.

Group IV now J (Need a own link)

You can go a path next to the entrence to Group IV but may be it is not always possible. This Group has now the name Group J. Only few of the structures of this group are now partial consolidated. The really interesting feature of this group is a canal system. There are four separate canals. May be in this area were a lot of water springs and the Maya built this canals to get land for there buildings.

 

 

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