The Temple of Inscriptions and the Palace together serve as visual Landmarks for the pedestrians on the ground.
Living in an environment primarily covered in bushes and high tree tops, it was important for the Mayans to construct their temples and palaces at a higher level than its surroundings. Reasons for doing so, in Palenque, are as followed. Firstly, a king or any king such as "Pacal", would want his Temple and Palace to be viewed from miles away. Secondly, the people of Palenque could gaze up into the horizon and be able to see the tops of both the Temple of Inscriptions and the Palace. This would help to orientate the people from the town to the city.
Conceptually, the height of the Temple of Inscriptions helps to connect the tomb of Pacal to the heavens by a Phychoduct. In a more literal sense, the height of the Palace and Temple help star gazers during the night and watchmen study the plains for movement during the day.
Jon, dont you think that they would do it more "hidden" in order to protect themselves, and less to be visible towards the rest.
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