Yaxchilán - Palace of the King

(Local Name: Palacio del Ray) Yaxchilán's most significant building is Building 33 or the Palace of the King (Edificio 33, Palacio del Rey), which probably dates from ad 757. This imposing building measures about 22 3 5 m (72 3 16 ft) with a height of 7 m (23 ft), with the roof comb protruding another 6 m (20 ft). The hieroglyph staircase discovered in 1974 has thirteen panels which show "Bird Jaguar" ascending the throne in ad 752. Eleven of the panels have scenes of ball-games, in which the ruler is beating people whose broken bodies are transformed into balls. Possibly a ball-game is being described here, which may have taken place in ad 744 between "Bird Jaguar" and his important prisoner "Jewel Head". The three entrances are decorated with door-beams which show scenes from the life of the ruler; there are also niches above them in which stone figures once sat. The frieze also shows remains of earlier embellishments. The double roof comb, which is especially beautiful, contains rectangular concavities which form eight horizontal rows. In the middle there once sat the 2.50 m (8 ft) high statue of a ruler with a magnificent head-dress. In front of the building stands the torso of a figure which was discovered inside the building, which has been called the "King" (Rey); the head of this statue lies a little to one side. Until a few years ago the Lacandon-Maya Indians worshipped their god Hachakyum, who they believed dwelt in this figure.