The Bonampak Murals: Art and History of the Mayan Culture

The beautiful archaeological site of Bonampak is located in southern Yaxchilan, in the state of Chiapas.

It is said that the site was discovered in 1946 by the New York archaeologist and explorer Giles Healey, however, the place was already known by the indigenous people of the area, attributing its discovery to José Pepe Chambor and Acasio Chan..

The word Bonampak means "painted walls", which makes a literal reference to the beauty found inside this ancient city that continually attracts thousands of tourists and scholars interested in Mayan culture, since through detailed images in vivid colors of naturalistic style, they pay tribute not only to the last ruler of this area, Chaan Muan II, who began his rule in 776 AD, but also portray the weight that politics had on the identity of this ancient culture through scenes of his rise to the throne, celebrations, wars, prisoner trials and sacrifices. C, but also portray the weight that politics had on the identity of this ancient culture through scenes of ascents to the throne, celebrations, wars, prisoner trials and sacrifices.

On the other hand, the murals not only gather information about Maya politics, but also about their artistic manifestations, since we can observe representations of drums, conch shells, wooden instruments, dances and musicians that show the importance that music had in these pre-Hispanic cultures.

The site has a space open to the public called La Gran Plaza, composed of platforms, pyramids and stelae, being the well-known Temple of the Murals, the place that houses the magnificent paintings in which stands out a vibrant sky-blue color that enamors those who enter inside these walls.

And you, do you already know Bonampak??

Visiting hours: Monday to Sunday, from 8:00 to 17:00 hrs.
Cost: $70.00 MXN