In and Out: Initial Investigations from the Palenque Pool Project

Summary

Emblematic of Palenque’s ancient name, Lakamha’ or Big Water, the city is scattered with natural cascades and uniquely constructed aqueducts, bridges, and pools. In May 2014, the Palenque Pool Project began excavating and consolidating the largest of the three pools in the Picota Group, 1 km west of the site center. Prehispanic construction of the feature required the Maya to excavate through bedrock and below the water table. The main pool is equipped with entrance and exit drains as well as a monumental staircase to access a perennial source of fresh water. Although likely a ceremonial feature, the pool’s true function remains unknown. This paper introduces a few interpretations from the first season.

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This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 80th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA (2015)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage