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Cerro Palenque is a Mayan settlement
in northwestern Honduras inhabited from about AD 500
to 1050. Located atop a series of hills in the Ulua
River Valley near the confluence of the Ulua and Comayagua
Rivers, Cerro Palenque is named after the tallest
of the hills. The total site area is about 26 hectares
with a maximum elevation of approximately 750 feet
above sea level.
Evidence suggests that the initial occupation of
Cerro Palenque was in the Late Classic Period (AD
500-850), although the peak of the settlement was
in the Terminal Classic Period (AD 850-1050). At its
peak, Cerro Palenque was the largest settlement in
the Ulua River Valley and consisted of about 500 structures
spread over a series of hills and ridges. Most of
these structures were constructed and occupied during
the Terminal Classic Period.
The Ulua River Valley was referred to by the Mayans
as the "land of feathers and honey" and
marked the eastern boundary of the growth of their
civilization in the Classic Maya era (AD 500-1000).
Cerro Palenque was therefore the largest Mayan settlement
on the eastern periphery of their historical territory.
Nevertheless, Mayan settlements in the Ulua River
Valley traded with the larger, more established centres
to the west. In fact, many lords of other Mayan cities
regarded carved marble vases from the Ulua River Valley
as prized possessions.
ARCHITECTURE
Cerro Palenque is similar to many Mayan settlements
in that the community features a large central plaza.
One of the indications of its stature in the region
is the size of its "Great Plaza", which
is about 300 metres long and is surrounded by a variety
of specially built structures, including a ball court
built on a raised terrace on the south end of the
plaza. A series of residential structures are built
on one end of the ball court on the same raised terrace,
indicating that prominent members of the community
may have occupied them.
CONSERVATION
The Patromonio of Cerro Palenque is a Honduras-based
non-governmental organization that has developed plans
for the restoration, preservation, and development
of Cerro Palenque. Development plans include a museum
and interpretive centre that will take advantage of
Cerro Palenque's spectacular view of the Ulua River
Valley and its inherent tourism potential. This group
includes representation from the Honduran government,
the local community, and the academic community. It
is further supported by a number of international
groups, including the University of California, Berkeley,
Gettysburg College, the International Council of Museums
(ICOM), and the International Council on Monuments
and Sites (ICOMOS).
LOCATION
Cerro Palenque is located atop a series of
hills in the Ulua River Valley of northwestern Honduras,
near the confluence of the Ulua and Comayagua Rivers.
It is a short distance south of the modern-day cities
of La Lima, which has a major airport, and El Progreso.
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