The city-state of Palenque, seven miles long and one mile wide, .
homed and ancient Mayan people of who were once lead by their eleventh .
Ahau, Pacal. He reigned for a total of sixty-eight years, from age twelve, .
following the founder of the great Mayan region known as Bahlum" Kuk.
Through the long line of rulers, deformity began to present itself as .
marrying within the family members of blood was practiced. Some early .
examples included Pacal's mother, Lady Sak K"uk , who was the tenth ruler .
and had clubbed fingers. Pacal also married within the family, marrying his .
sister, Lady Alpo Hel. He too presented deformities, having a clubbed foot. .
One of their three sons, Chan Bahlum II, had six fingers and toes. The two .
other recorded sons included Kan Zul II and Xoc. .
Pacal, also known as the Shield and the Lord of Lords, was born 26 .
March 603 (Ahau 13 Pop): The Mayan round calendar date of his birth, .
recorded every 52 years. Screech Owl (Mah Kin) was the name he went by .
as a child, assuming a high voice quality.
A few wars were fought at this period of time with Bonampak, Kalak" .
Mul, and Yaxchilan. The only known captive was Balam Te Chac of .
Yaxchilan in A.D. 654. Palenque was also visited by an enemy of Kalak" .
Mul, Mutul (Shield Skull). .
Buildings that were constructed during Pacal's reign include the .
Palace- containing three sections, the Temple of the Count- built for his .
parents, and the Temple of Inscription. Pacal was 70 years old when the .
Temple of Inscription was started as his burial temple and was 80 years old .
when he died. The temple was made primarily of lime, stood 84 feet high, .
had four sides, a frontal stairway of 60 degree angles, and nine levels. After .
descending through the opening in the floor and down 72 steps, the tomb .
rests with six skeletons to guard it. One skeleton was headless, and assumed .
to have been beheaded as a result from not offering his/her life to serve the .
