Abstract

NUNEZ, Luis Fernando. Burials from Palenque, a view from the discoverers: From Waldeck to Ruz (1932-1959). Estud. cult. maya [online]. 2023, vol.62, pp.273-295.  Epub Jan 30, 2024. ISSN 0185-2574.  https://doi.org/10.19130/iifl.ecm/62/000xs00146w09.

From the descriptions made by explorers and archaeologists of Palenque since the mid-nineteenth century, the idea that the spaces for the dead maintained presence and relevance scarcely reported for other Maya cities is outlined. The image that the city showed to its inhabitants and visitors was that of an omnipresence of spaces for the cult of the dead. This is evident in the mortuary chambers with sarcophagi inside, built on the facades of an important number of structures in the monumental area and the peripheral complexes. The intention of this article is to rescue that image of Palenque in which the spaces to render cult to the dead were part of its identity.

Keywords : burials; explorers; mortuary chambers; cysts; sarcophagi.