Bonampak means “painted walls” and it is the highly detailed frescoes-drawings telling the history of the people who lived here-painted on the inside of the walls and roofs of three buildings, witch made Bonampak a true delight and major attraction for archaeologists and visitors. The frescoes are incredibly well preserved and a higtlight of a visit to Bonampak.

This side has been hidden away in the jungle for longer than most, not until the mid 1940s did some Americans explorers discover the place, supposedly after being taken there by a local from the surrounding Lacandon jungle, the exact tale is as much of a mystery as many Mayan sites themselves. Bonampak stretches over 2.5 kilometers, although the main attractions revolve around the group of buildings surrounding the main plaza.

The buildings  you can see today were built under the rule of Governor Chaan Muan II, who took the trone around 770Ad. It appears that Bonampak was at times ally and foe to the neighboring city of Yaxchilan and the frescoes  inside of the three buildings of The Templo de Pinturas(Temple of paintings)- the first showing the the consecration of the Governor’s Heir, the second a battle and torture and sacrifices of captives, and the third celebration with dances and headdresses predominant along with bloodletting from the tongue, an offering of thanks to the gods.

Something interesting about this site is the fact that only three people are allowed into each of the  rooms at any one time because perspiration affects the paintings in a severe way, so you may have to wait. You can take photographs of the Frescoes, but flash photography is strictly prohibited.