Pomona is a Maya archaeological site in the Mexican state of Tabasco, municipality of Tenosique, about 30 miles (50 km) east of Palenque. Its flowering was in the Late Classic period.
Pomona is a Maya archaeological site in the Mexican state of Tabasco, municipality of Tenosique, about 30 miles (50 km) east of Palenque. Its flowering was in the Late Classic period.
Pomona is a dispersed settlement built in a fertile, hilly region and belonging to the Usumacinta river sites. It was discovered in 1959 and has been investigated, albeit only very partially, between 1986 and 1988. It consists of a total of six archaeological complexes, only the northernmost one of which, a quadrangular plaza with 13 buildings, has been explored.
There are texts at Pomona referring to dates as early as 297 CE, but little more is known from this time period.[1] In 659 CE, Palenque captured six lords in battle. One was said to be from Pipa', a location associated with the site of Pomona. Another Pipa' lord was said to have died in 663.[2] A king of Pomona rose to the throne under the supervision of K'inich Kan Bahlam III of Palenque in 751 CE.[3] In March 792 CE, Piedras Negras attacked Pomona and took prisoners (depicted on Piedras Negras stela 12); the same happened two years later. The defeated king at Pomona was named Kuch' Bahlam.[4]
Pomona is renowned for the delicacy and beauty of its relief sculpture, which shows similarities with that of Jonuta and Palenque. Panel 1 (Fig. 3) shows two of originally four young princes wearing the aquatic attributes of the Bacabs and holding Year Bearer days in their hands.[5]