Temple of the Inscriptions

The temple contains the tomb of K'inich Janaab' Pakal, also known as Pakal the Great, who ruled the Maya city of Palenque from 615 to 683 AD. His elaborately carved sarcophagus lid, depicting his descent into the underworld, is one of the most iconic artifacts of Mesoamerican art.

Mexican archaeologist Alberto Ruz Lhuillier discovered the tomb in 1949 after noticing a stone slab on the temple floor with holes suggesting it could be lifted. After several years of clearing a stairway filled with rubble, he reached the burial chamber in 1952.

The temple's three glyph panels contain one of the longest Maya inscriptions known, primarily documenting the dynastic history of Palenque and the reign and death of Pakal. The glyphs were instrumental in the mid-20th-century breakthroughs in deciphering Maya script.

In recent years, access to the interior stairway and Pakal's tomb has been restricted to protect the structure from humidity damage caused by visitor traffic. Visitors to the Palenque archaeological site can still view the temple's exterior and the famous glyph panels from outside.