[Aztlan] From R. Diehl

[John F. Schwaller]

 From R. Diehl (rdiehl at as.ua.edu)

Dear Listeros,

“The rich (and powerful) are different from you and me.” We are beginning to learn how true that was of the ancient Maya. We always have known that Maya society was stratified but recently hard facts have begun to replace gut feelings. This is especially evident in recent multi-disciplinary studies of the physical remains and tombs of Maya rulers. The most famous of these potentates today is Palenque’s Janaab’ Pakal (aka Propeller Shield), a close second to ancient Egypt’s Tutankhamen in modern name and face recognition. In a new book Janaab’ Pakal of Palenque: Reconstructing the Life and Death of a Maya Ruler, (edited by Vera Tiesler and Andea Cucina, University of Arizona Press, 2006), numerous Mexican and foreign scientists examine Pakal’s life and the various issues that have arisen since Alberto Ruz L. discovered his burial chamber deep inside the Temple of the Inscriptions more than fifty-five years ago. They solve some but not all of the mysteries.

How old was he when he died? Although it is still impossible to ascertain his precise age of death, the consensus is that he truly was a geezer. Did he have the extra fingers and club foot suggested by his portraits? No. He did have a healthy childhood with no growth interruptions that indicate lack of food. His teeth suggest a diet rich in animal protein. If he ever performed heavy physical labor, it did not leave any marks on his bones. His skull was deformed as an infant and his teeth filed as an adult, marks of his exalted status. In his older years he suffered chronic back pain and probably had to be carried up and down stairs whether he wanted to or not. Upon his death his corpse apparently was embalmed but not covered with a shroud, as some writers have suggested. Comparisons with the burial remains of other ancient Palencanos show just how fortunate Pakal was and what an unusual life he led. 

In one of the most fascinating chapters, Nicolai Grube brings together information on the lives of numerous other Maya rulers who have been identified in recent years and shows that as class, they were the “Fortunate Sons” of the old Credence Clearwater Revival song. I cannot help but wonder what farmers and other commoners “really” thought about some of the at-times overbearing big shots who did not have to carry their own weight, as it were!

This is not a book that I would recommend for purchase by non-professionals because of the highly technical nature of most of the studies. After all, I borrowed a copy from the library. In any case, it provides fascinating insights into both the only ancient Mesoamerican ruler we can come close to knowing as a person and some larger issues in Mesoamerican studies. It really kind of adds to the pervasive magic of Palenque, a true jewel in the Maya crown.

It also leads me to wonder, Was Pakal a GOOD ruler? Any answer to that is of necessity a subjective, judgmental response but I ask: Did his subjects lives improve during his long reign? Did they enjoy better nutrition, longer life, the pleasure of seeing more children reach adulthood, protection from enemies, and the rights to enjoy more of the fruits of their labor? We do not know but we can study the issue. All it will take is for some enterprising archaeologist to excavate a sample of Palencano farm houses and burials to see how the grunts lived.

Dick Diehl
rdiehl at as.ua.edu