Pomoná
Pam Chan? (Pomoná)
Maya Late Classic 600–900 CE·Maya (Pomoná Pacbul?)·🇲🇽 Tabasco, Mexico
About
About Pomoná
Late Classic Maya port capital (600–900 CE) on Usumacinta foothills with terraced acropolis complex and Mound 1 pyramid 12 m high. Stela 1 and panels record dynastic war with Palenque and Piedras Negras (659–790 CE), showing capture of Palenque's vassal. Causeway-paved plazas and ballcourt; terraces adapt to 60-m hill. Key for Palenque–Piedras Negras rivalry.
Why it mattersWar record providing precise chronology of Usumacinta hegemonic wars and river port struggle.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Identification with Pacbul vs Pam Chan glyph
- 02Whether hill terraces are natural or engineered fill
Theories
- 01River port chokepoint warfare model for Usumacinta
- 02Hill acropolis as defensive refuge during 659 Palenque conflict
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.600–900 CE
- Period
- Maya Late Classic 600–900 CE
- Culture
- Maya (Pomoná Pacbul?)
- Builders
- Maya Pomona dynasty
- Purpose
- Port kingdom contested between Palenque and Piedras Negras
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.600–900 CE
Initial construction
c. 1506 CE
Abandonment
On the ground
Structures & features
17.4833° N · 91.5714° W · 50 m · 2 mapped features
Pomoná central feature
featureMain architectural feature
17.4833° N · 91.5714° WPomoná secondary sector
sectorSecondary sector
17.4843° N · 91.5704° W