Description
Bonampak is located 23km from Las Golondrinas, it is a
ceremony center built in the heart of the jungle. Its best period was during the
rule of the Jaguar – Ojo Anudado (Tied Jaguar Eye) who ascended to the
throne in 743 A.D. This fact is printed in the paintings that still remain. The
name Bonampak means: "Painted Walls". Of the whole group the most
important buildings are the Gran Plaza (Great Plaza) and the Acropolis. In the
first one, the magnificent stele 1 raises. It shows Chaan Muan II dressed very
elegantly to celebrate his fifth year of ruling. The building of the paintings was
built over the acropolis. This building has three chambers.
The first one shows the presentation of the heir to the throne ceremony that was given
by the ruler family, and also shows the dressing of this lord by the servants. In the same
room the procession of the musicians is shown. The wall paintings were never
finished and the site was abandoned for unknown reasons. It was discovery in
1946, and it is now one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in Chiapas,
that allows us to know one of the biggest testimonies of the Mayan culture and
the extraordinary color concepts and traces of its painters. The passages of
history here represented provide information of the customs, physical
characteristics, dress, society, plus the political and religious organization of the
Mayan classic world. Bonampak had its great raise at the end of the Classic
Mayan period and was abandoned in 800 a. C.
Weather
Humid and hot with rains all year.
Ethnic group
Lacandones (Lacandon people)
Location
It is located in the Ocosingo municipality, in the Jungle region of the state.
How to get there?
It is located 188 kms. from Palenque, first taking the federal road No. 199 and then the South border road; when arriving to the San Javier crossroad, it will take about 13 kms. to get to the Lacanja Chansayab town, next to the archaeological zone.
Things to do?
Visit to the archaeological ruins, walking, and flora and fauna sightseeing.
Visit time schedules
From 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. every day of the year.
Entrance cost
MEX $33.00 Free entrance on Sundays and festivity days. Free entrance to people older than 60 years, younger than 13, retired people, handicapped people, teachers, students, scientists and people with INAH permit.
Travel hints
The archaeological zone can be visited during the year; it is suggested to wear comfortable clothing and shoes for long walks, drinkable water, sweating garment and waterproof clothing for rainy seasons.
Sites nearby
Lacanjá – Chansayab and Escudo Jaguar (Jaguar Shield)
Contact
Instituto Nacional de Antropologia e Historia
(National Institute of Antrophology and History)
01 (961) 613-4554 / 612-8360 / 613-4450
Secretaria de Turismo
(Tourism State Office)
National toll free number: 01 (800) 280-3500
