Anthropology 150

The Maya Region

The Central Maya Lowlands

Yaxchilan

Itzamnaj B‟alam II and his principal

wife K‟ab‟al

K‟ab‟al is drawing blood from her Tonque with a rope studded with Thorns. The blood is capture on bark Strips in the bowl below her.

Itzamnaj B‟alam II and a vassal Make an offering of blood. Itzamnaj B‟alam‟s blood is shown As drops falling from the knife in his Hands. He has used the knife to Perforate his penis.

The vassal hold an image of Itzamnaj B‟alam „s lineage patron, Who witnesses the offering.

Yaxchilan Temple 22

K‟ab‟al Xook conjures a

vision serpent

A lintel depicting the summoning of a vision

Bonampak Murals

Bonampak‟s ruler takes a captive

Ballcourt at Yaxchilan

A Maya ruler re-creates the battle in a ceremonial ballgame

Palenque

The “Palace” at Palenque, probably the residence of the site‟s rulers

The Temple of the Inscriptions

The temple of the Inscriptions (profile)

The burial chamber of Pakal within the Temple of the Inscriptions

The lid of Pakal‟s sarcophogus. Pakal is depicted after death as he Rises from the underworld.

The cross above Pakal represents the “world tree” that anchors Cosmological order.

The supernatural creature under Pakal is an “earth Monster” that Represents the underworld.

The Temple of the foliated

Cross

Panel within the Temple of the Foliated Cross

depicts the rites of investiture for

Kan Balam, following the death of Pakal

Temple of the Sun

Kan Balam is received

in the afterworld

by his parents

Kan Xul as captive at Tonina

The texts inscribed on Kan Xul‟s legs Identify him As “Kan Xul, Ajaw of Palenque and give The date of his capture By the ruler of Tonina.