Pomoná

Welcome, intrepid explorers and students of antiquity. We have arrived in the lush, sweltering heart of the Mexican state of Tabasco. …

Before we explore the monumental architecture, it is essential to visit the small but significant site museum located near the entrance. In the academic study of the Maya, we rely heavily on epigraphy, the decipherment of their…

We have emerged into Plaza 1, the civic and ceremonial heart of ancient Poh-moh-nah. This expansive, open area was once paved with thick, white stucco, reflecting the intense tropical sun and keeping the area clear of the…

Let us approach Structure 13, located on the edge of the main plaza. At first glance, it appears to be a modest, stepped platform. …

We now move slightly higher in elevation to the area designated as the Acropolis. In Maya archaeology, an acropolis refers to a massive, artificially raised platform that supports a complex arrangement of elite residences,…

Our next stop is Structure 4, one of the more prominent religious edifices at the site. Based on the iconography recovered from the surrounding rubble, scholars believe this temple was dedicated to the worship of Kinich Ahau, the…

As our tour of Poh-moh-nah concludes, we must address the profound mystery that hangs over this site and the entirety of the Classic Maya world. By the end of the ninth century, this vibrant, populous city was abandoned. …