Palenque, historically known in the Itzaʼ language as Lakamha, was an ancient Maya city-state located in southern Mexico. The site dates from approximately 226 BC to 799 AD, at which point it perished and became overgrown by a jungle of cedar, mahogany, and sapodilla trees. Following its decline, the ruins were eventually excavated and restored for modern viewing.
The archaeological site is situated in the Mexican state of Chiapas near the Usumacinta River, approximately 130 km south of Ciudad del Carmen at an elevation of 150 meters above sea level. It sits adjacent to the contemporary town of Palenque. The region experiences a humid climate with average temperatures of 26 °C and annual rainfall of roughly 2,160 millimeters.