History of Chicanna
The early history of Chicanna reveals a simple community steadily growing. Then it erected several incredible buildings. So who built Chicanna and why?
Chicanna Structure X and Structure XI
Chicanna Structure X and Structure XI are Mayan temples that stand together in Group C, but represent a transformation of Chicanna over the centuries.
Chicanna Structure XX – A Timepiece in Stone
Chicanna Structure XX is covered with carved images and features three monster mouth entrances that combine to create an image of the Mayan universe.
Chicanna Structure II: The Monster Mouth Temple
Chicanna Structure II features a fearsome monster mouth doorway that was designed to broadcast the spiritual power of this magical Mayan temple.
Chicanna Structure VI
With its carved façade and roof comb, Chicanna Structure VI appears to be a temple, but the rooms added over later centuries raise questions over its use.
Chicanna Structure III
Chicanna Structure III spans the north side of Group A and was repeatedly developed from 640AD to 1040AD – but it is curiously different to the other structures
Chicanna Structure I & the Rio Bec Style
Chicanna Structure I utilises a rare Maya architectural style known as Rio Bec, which appears to mark the shift from Classic to Chenes and Puuc styles.
Chicanna
The ruins of Chicanna are a testament to the craftsmanship and artistry of the Maya, its Monster Mouth temples rank among the wonders of the ancient world.
Tomb of the Red Queen of Palenque
Palenque’s Temple XIII has become known as the Tomb of the Red Queen following the discovery in 1994 of a red stained skeleton belonging to a wealthy woman
Palenque: Temple XIX
Temple XIX is home to the most incredible carvings found at Palenque and accompany the detailed story of Ahkal Mo’ Nahb and the birth of the gods
Brief History of Tonina
The fragmented history of Tonina has been gleaned from its scattered and broken monuments, which suggest it was among the most powerful cities of the Maya.
Temple of the Earth Monster at Tonina
Although badly ruined, the Temple of the Earth Monster’s altar still reveals a mysterious beast that may represent the sacred lineage of Tonina’s rulers.
Frieze of the Bird Dancers at Tonina
The Frieze of the Bird Dancers portrays two men dressed in magnificent feathered outfits ambiguously posed to look like ballplayers in the throes of dance
Palacio de las Grecas
The huge stepped fret motifs found on Tonina’s Palacio de las Grecas remain a mystery, however they were probably designed to broadcast the city’s belief in a lifecycle, or spiral, of violence and death.
Tonina: Palace of the Underworld
Serving a dark ritual purpose, the eerie Palace of the Underworld is a mysterious labyrinth of 11 passageways that weave beneath Tonina’s pyramid acropolis.
Tonina: Frieze of the Dream Lords
Discovered as recently as 1990, the huge Frieze of the Four Eras depicts some fantastical other-worldly processes, which leaves much to the imagination.
Tonina: The Great Plaza
The Great Plaza at Tonina is the first area you enter, before ascending 7 levels to the heavens. Here on Platform 1 though, things are still very much in the depths of the underworld.
Tonina
The Maya city of Tonina is a fascinating puzzle. At its heart, a 72m pyramid rises to the heavens encoded with symbolism and covered in mysterious temples.