Temple of the Cross Complex facts for kids
The Temple of the Cross Complex is a group of ancient temples at the Maya city of Palenque in Chiapas, Mexico. It sits in the southeastern part of the site. This complex includes three main buildings: the Temple of the Cross, the Temple of the Sun, and the Temple of the Foliated Cross. The Temple of the Cross is the largest and most important of these.
These temples are like step pyramids with amazing carved pictures, called bas-reliefs, inside. The complex was built to celebrate Chan Bahlum II becoming king after his father, Pacal the Great, passed away. The carvings show Chan Bahlum receiving a special gift from his father. The "cross" shape seen in the temples actually represents the World Tree. This tree is a central part of Mayan stories, believed to stand at the center of the world.
A Glimpse into Ancient History
The Temple of the Cross complex was built by King Kan-Bahlum. He ruled Palenque between 684 AD and 702 AD. One main reason for building these temples was to keep records of Kan-Bahlum's family history. They also showed how he became king and the special, divine origin of his family line.
Inside the temple sanctuaries, you can find carved stone tablets. Each tower has a tablet with hieroglyphic writing. These carvings explain the purpose of each temple. They also tell stories about the three main gods of Palenque (called GI, GII, and GIII) and their right to lead.
These pyramids were constructed during the Late Classic period of Mesoamerican chronology. They followed the traditional architectural styles of the region. Builders used detailed carved stones to create their impressive stairstep designs. These three temples are unique in the Maya world. They act like a three-part Maya book made of stone. They record both real events and mythical stories. You can read the history like a book as you move from one temple to the next.
Archaeologists have found signs that Palenque was attacked by other cities. Calakmul attacked in 599 AD and 611 AD. These attacks might have inspired King Pacal and his family to build more grand structures. However, after an attack by Toniná around 800 AD, the construction of large buildings stopped. The city's population also began to shrink.
By the 16th century, when the Spanish arrived, Palenque was already abandoned. The local Maya people had forgotten about it. In 1567, Father Pedro Lorenzo de la Nada was the first European to describe the ruins. He named the site Palenque. He found the stone temples and plazas while exploring near the Usumacinta River.
Work to dig up, care for, and fix the Cross Complex started much later, in 1940. More money for maintenance came after 1952. That year, Mexican archaeologist Alberto Ruz Lhuillier found the burial tomb of Pacal the Great. This tomb was inside the Temple of Inscriptions. Since this discovery, Palenque has become one of the most studied ancient sites in the Americas. Archaeologist Jorge Acosta expanded the work on the Cross Complex from 1967 to 1974. Later, in 1989, the Palenque Project began. This project, led by archaeologist Arnoldo González Cruz, started extensive research and restoration efforts. In 1993, archaeologists found an offering of over 100 incense burners inside the Temple of the Cross.
How the Temples Were Built
The Cross Complex is located at the base of a mountain called Yehmal K'uk' Lakam Witz. This name means "The Great Mountain of the Descending Quetzal." The Maya considered this mountain sacred. It had many natural springs that fed the Otulum River. This river was the main water source for the city of Palenque.
The structures in the Cross Complex are made from limestone. This stone is very common in the region. Records from the 16th century say that the stone temples were once covered in stucco. They were also decorated with blue and red paint. The three main temples of the Cross Complex are lined up to form a cross shape.
The Temple of the Foliated Cross is directly across a courtyard from the Temple of the Sun. Both are next to the Temple of the Cross. There are also two smaller temples, Temple XIV and Temple XV. These are found between the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Cross.
Amazing Art and Messages
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The carved pictures, or bas-reliefs, in the Temple of the Cross tell a story. They describe how K'inich Kan Balam became the ruler of Palenque. Inside the inner rooms of these temples, you can see these carvings. They show two figures. At first, experts thought the smaller figure was Kan Bahlum's father, K'inich Janaab' Pakal. They thought the bigger figure was Kan Bahlum himself.
Now, with more knowledge about ancient art and writing, experts believe both figures represent Kan Bahlum. One shows him as a young person during a special ceremony. The other shows him as an adult, taking the throne. Between these two figures is the Ceiba tree, also known as the World Tree.
Each of the three temples is also dedicated to one of the Palenque triad gods. These temples represent paths to the Otherworld, a spiritual realm. These paths were very important for the king. He needed to take these journeys to bring back gifts of life and good fortune for his people. The Temple of the Cross is the most important in this group. It is linked to God GI, the first-born of the triad. God GI is also known as Hunahpu. He looks human but has unique features like a shell earflare, a square eye, and a fish fin on his cheek. He often wears a special headdress and is connected to a "Waterbird." It's important to remember that Kan-Bahlum lived before these triad gods were fully established. He built these temples so the gods could leave their mark on them.
