Bonampak

"Bonampak is located in the Chiapas lacandon jungle, in the Lacanhá river valley. It covers a four square km area. The main constructions were built on a chain of hills that run through the valley’s center, from the Cojolita to the river bank. In spite of this, only a fraction of the area has been explored and open to the public. The Great Plaza and the Acropolis, which covers Bonampak’s southern face and holds the mural paintings of the site. The earliest archeological findings in Bonampak are from the beginning of the classical era (250 A.C.), when the city’s importance begun. The mayan society of the classical period had as an economic basis, agricultural activities and the jungle’s endless resources. It was organized in various social classes and their inhabitants belonged to each level by birth, marriage or by learning a trade. On the top of this social pyramid stood the noble or ruling class . They supported themselves by receiving tribute and was headed by a lord that governed the city and the surrounding region. Bonampak´s first known ruler is known as Bird Jaguar. At Yaxchilán he is named as a visitor to the crowning ceremony of Skull Mahk’Ina I, fifth ruler of Yaxchilán between 402 and 423 A.C. The first monuments found in Bonampak refer to a ruler known as Fish Face, who ruled during the end of the 5th century. Regrettably, those inscriptions have been taken out of the country. The next rulers named in Bonampak’s inscriptions are Jaguar Knotted-Eye (516 A.C.), Chaan Muan I (603 A.C.) and Ahau (683 A.C.). Unfortunately there are great historical gaps due to the lack of exploration of the site. By the year 746 A.C. Bonampak and Yaxchilán inhabitants had defeated the city of Lacanhá and it came under Bonampak’s rule. The city’s peak took place during the ruling of Jaguar Knotted-Eye II, who took the throne on the year 743 A.C.. His conquests are engraved on lintel 3 in the Painting Building. The last ruler known so far was Chaan Muan II, he took the throne in 776 A.C. and is engraved on the stele 2, where he is depicted with two women, thought to be his mother and wife, who belonged to Yaxchilán’s nobility. Stele 1 represents his 5th year as a ruler and stele 3 relates 10 years of his governance (785 A.C.). On 787 A.C., Chaan Muan II captured an important enemy named Ah-5-Skull. This event is depicted on the lintel 1 in the Paintings Building. Other images represent his son as the heir to the throne, battle preparations, sacrificial events executed by the ruling family, and a battle narrative where the captives were sacrificed in a sumptuous ceremony. WHAT TO DO Wild life observation Visit the Lacandon jungle Explore the archeological site Contact with Mayan people"

"Bonampak is renowned for its remarkably preserved murals depicting vivid scenes of ancient Mayan life and ceremonies. Visitors can marvel at the intricate details of these murals, which offer invaluable insights into the cultural and artistic achievements of the Maya civilization. "

"Located near a defunct air strip, this ancient Mayan archaeological site is known for its well-preserved Temple of the Murals, depicting scenes of warfare, ceremony, and daily life. "