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  Palenque
has long been known for its amazing aqueducts. The canal
systems are arranged around rain fed arroyos. The arroyos
contain evidence of a retaining wall (the Schele Terraces
too). With few exeptions, every flowing water source,
be it spring or rain fed, in central Palenque was managed
and harnessed to serve the people who lived there. Researchers
found 4 aqueducts, 3 tanks, 2 bridges and canal walls. They
suspected another two aqueducts can be found under the
Arroyos Ach’ and the Motiepa. Drainage systems
were found too.
The Otulum aqueduct that
leads the Otulum river under the central floor, is the largest
aqueduct in Palenque (the canal is approx.
2 m deep and 1/5 m wide). Furthermore were found the
Motiepa aqueduct, the Piedras Bolas aqueduct and the
Picota aqueduct.
 History
of Palenque: The original name of the city was Lakam Ha, it
means Big Water after the sources and rivers. It was the
capital of a state with the name B'aakal. In the 8th
century B'aakal was, as
other Mayan cities, hard pressed. Building high society constructions were stopped
some time after 800. Farmers remained several generations,
before also leaving the city. Then the city was
eventually swallowed up by the jungle.
The
surroundings were thinly populated when the Spaniards
arrived around 1520.
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