Chiapas is a state that is located in the southeast of the Mexican republic, bordered by Tabasco, Oaxaca, Veracruz, the Pacific Ocean, and the republic of Guatemala. The Southern Border Highway, that comes from Palenque, is the only land route that can be taken to Bonampak. If you leave out of Tuxtla Gutierrez, the capital of the state of Chiapas, get to Palenque by way of San Cristobal de Las Casas and Ocosingo. The last 9 kilometers was once only done by horseback or by walking, but now can be done by vehicle. Bonampak is also accessible by air, renting private planes that leave from the cities of Tuxtla Gutierrez, Palenque, Ocosingo and Comitan.
A dirt road, that leaves from Palenque, penetrates the region of the Lacandon jungle, passing through Chancala in whose area there are numerous cascades which adorn the Chiapanecan mountains and then arrives at this site, 312 kilometers from San Cristobal de las Casas. The last 9 kilometers, parting from San Javier, will have to be done on foot. It is worth while however, as the effort culminates at a ceremonial center, raised in the heart of the jungle and whose apogee occurred during the government of Jaguar-Ojo A-nudado (jaguar knotted eye), who ascended to the throne of Bonampak in 743 A.D. The picture of its last governor Chaan Muan II, whose mandate began in 776 A.D., is shown on the stones, lintels, and mural paintings that are still kept.
Of the ensemble, only the grand plaza and the Acropolis have been explored. In the first one is the stone image I, which shows Chaan Muan II dressed in great luxury, celebrating his fifth governing year. Over the Acropolis, which follows the terrain’s dishevels, the building of the paintings was constructed. This possesses three chambers. In the first is shown, the presentation ceremony with the family, the heir to the throne, and the supplying of victuals to the Master by several servants. In the same chamber is the scene of the musicians procession.
Chamber number two is of the battle; and the last one, the presentation and punishment of the prisoners. Here, Chaan Muan II has on a grand head-dress of jaguar skin. The battle occurred on August 2, 792 A.D. There is still on consensus if this was the crushing of an agricultural rebellion or, the victory over a neighboring group. In chamber three is the sumptuous ceremony of triumpjant celebration. Represented are dancers, nobles, and musicians, all in the presence of Chaan Muan II, whose is realizing an autosacrifice to offer his blood to the gods.
The murals were never finished, and after painting them, the site was abandoned for unknown reasons. Its discovery in 1946, one of the great archaeological exploration histories of Chiapas, allowed knowing one of the biggest testimonials of the Mayan culture and the extraordinary conception of color and lines of its painter. You can also arrive in Bonampak by special flights of small aircraft from Palenque, Ocosingo, Comitan, and Tuxtla Gutierrez.