K’inich Janaab’ Pakal, commonly known as Pakal the Great, was the ruler of the Maya city-state of Palenque from 615 to 683 CE. He is celebrated for his long and prosperous reign, which brought great wealth and cultural development to Palenque. Pakal is perhaps best known for the construction of the *Temple of the Inscription*, which housed his tomb and a famous sarcophagus. The tomb contained a large jade mask, and the sarcophagus lid features a carving of Pakal that has sparked much debate.

The carving on Pakal’s sarcophagus lid depicts the king lying on his back, with a strange, almost futuristic image of him seemingly emerging from a cosmic portal. Some modern interpretations have likened this image to a “spaceship” or an astronaut, due to the figure’s position and the intricate symbols surrounding him. However, most scholars believe the depiction is symbolic, showing Pakal’s journey into the underworld or his ascent to the heavens, reflecting Maya cosmology and the king’s devine status. The “spaceship” theory is more of a modern myth, but it continues to capture the imagination of many.