Religious site
Tomb of the Red Queen
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Discovered in 1994 within Temple XIII, the Tomb of the Red Queen is named for the woman's skeleton and grave goods coated in bright red cinnabar. Though her identity remains uncertain, she is believed to have been a noblewoman, possibly Pakal's wife or mother. The burial chamber contains a stone sarcophagus, jade ornaments, and a mask made of malachite and obsidian. The vivid red pigment covering the remains and offerings creates a striking visual. Visitors can view the tomb through a protective glass floor, observing the layout and artifacts, while interpretive panels explain the discovery and significance of the cinnabar ritual.
Don't miss
- Peer through the glass floor into the red-stained burial chamber
- Examine the jade and malachite mask found with the queen
- Read about the cinnabar ritual and theories on the queen's identity
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Tomb of the Red Queen
You can visit Tomb of the Red Queen on your own. A guide is worth it for the history and detail that is easy to walk past, and a tour can combine it with nearby sights.
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