Palenque, historically known as Lakamha in the Itzaʼ language, was an ancient Maya city-state located in southern Mexico. The ruins date from approximately 226 BC to 799 AD, after which the site declined and became overgrown by a jungle of cedar, mahogany, and sapodilla trees. Following its period of abandonment, the site has been 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.