And now, for some details Palenque has disclosed.
Portions of the structures' original stucco can still be found in sheltered places; some of the clearest examples are on the palace walls and show combinations of black outlining with predominant reds and the deep sky-blue color known as "Mayan Blue."
Shown above are examples of some of the numerous artifacts recovered from all around Palenque's ruins during various periods of excavation. They include stucco masks; finely detailed figurines; hundreds of three-foot-tall censers in which burnt offerings of copal incense and human blood were made; and funerary masks and headbands crafted of mosaics of jade, shell, and onyx. Remnants of Mayan Blue paint can still be seen on that censer in the middle photo. Many such censers have masks and faces stacked upon other masks and faces, reminding me of miniature terra cotta totem poles.
One of the smaller temple pyramids near Pakal's tomb is Temple XII, known as the Temple of the Dying Moon. Mayan spiritualism associated rabbits with the full moon, and a dead rabbit accordingly represented a waning moon or new moon. Assuming tourists are still permitted to climb halfway up Temple XII, they will see a carved mask of a rabbit's skull. Except this particular rabbit's skull sports fangs, which archaeologists seem to have difficulty explaining without using the word "zombie." Come to Palenque and check it out. Carefully. In broad daylight, when critters like this hide from the sun.
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