{{Short description|Mayan pyramidal building}} {{Maya civilization}} '''Temple 20''' (or '''Temple XX''') is a pyramidal building, dated to between AD 430 and 600 (Early Classic period), located at the Maya city of Palenque in the state of Chiapas in southern Mexico with a funerary chamber that contains remains of a high ranking character.<ref name="restoration">{{cite web|title=Pyramid that Contains Maya Tomb Restored|url=http://www.inah.gob.mx/index.php/english-press-releases/57-restoration/4813--pyramid-that-contains-maya-tomb-restored|publisher=National Institute of Anthropology and History|accessdate=2011-12-28|date=2011-01-12}}</ref> Archaeologist Merle Greene Robertson has suggested that the vaulted tomb under Temple 20 is that of Queen Ix Yohl Ik'nal.<ref>Stuart and Stuart 2008, p.140.</ref>
==Exploration== In 1999 archeologists discovered a tomb inside Temple 20, but any attempt of penetration could lead to damage, due to the uncertain structural state of the pyramid built on top of it.<ref name="NatGeo">{{cite web|last=Roach|first=John|title=Pictures: Blood-Red Pyramid Tomb Revealed by Tiny Camera|url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/06/pictures/110629-tiny-camera-maya-tomb-palenque-mexico-science/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110701071708/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/06/pictures/110629-tiny-camera-maya-tomb-palenque-mexico-science/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 1, 2011|publisher=National Geographic Society|accessdate=2011-12-28|date=2011-06-29}}</ref>
A small camcorder ({{convert|4|by|6|cm|in}}), lowered to the depth of {{convert|5|m|ft}} through a {{convert|15|cm|in}} wide hole in an upper floor of the pyramid in April 2011,<ref name="NatGeo"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Heredero|first=Liliet|title=Camera uncovers secrets of a Mayan tomb in Mexico|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-13905695|publisher=BBC News|access-date=2011-12-28|date=2011-06-24}}</ref> revealed murals of nine human figures outlined in black against the blood-red background.<ref name=inah>{{cite web|title=camera reveals images of the interior of a millenary tomb a Palenque|url=http://www.inah.gob.mx/index.php/boletines/14-hallazgos/5100Micro |publisher=National Institute of Anthropology and History|accessdate=2011-12-28|date=2011-06-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Tiny camera looks inside Mayan tomb|url=http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/11739|publisher=thehistoryblog.com|accessdate=2011-12-28|date=2011-06-24}}</ref> There was no sarcophagus, it is probable that the skeleton lies on the slabs of the floor.
The INAH Council of Archaeology determined that the pyramidal base must be stabilized before exploration.
==Restoration== Temple 20 was restored by specialists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) in 2010.<ref name="restoration"/>
==See also== * Djedi Project
==Notes== {{Reflist}}
==References== {{refbegin|indent=yes}}<!--BEGIN biblio format. --> * {{cite book |author=Stuart, David |author-link=David Stuart (Mayanist) |author2=George Stuart |year=2008 |title=Palenque: Eternal City of the Maya |location=London |publisher=Thames & Hudson |isbn=978-0-500-05156-6|oclc=227016561}} {{refend}}<!-- END biblio format style -->
{{Maya sites}}
{{coord missing|Chiapas}}
Category:Palenque Category:Pyramids in Mexico Category:Maya architecture Category:Buildings and structures in Chiapas Category:1st-millennium establishments in North America