Urban design
As Maya cities spread throughout the varied geography of Mesoamerica, the extent of site planning appears to have been minimal; their cities having been built somewhat haphazardly as dictated by the topography of each independent location. Maya architecture tends to integrate a great degree of natural features. For instance, some cities existing on the flat limestone plains of the northern Yucatán grew into great sprawling municipalities, while others built in the hills of Usumacinta utilized the natural loft of the topography to raise their towers and temples to impressive heights. However, some semblance of order, as required by any large city, still prevailed. At the onset of large-scale construction, a predetermined axis was typically established in congruence with the cardinal directions. Depending upon the location and availability of natural resources such as fresh-water wells, or cenotes, the city grew by connecting great plazas with the numerous platforms that created the sub-structure for nearly all Maya buildings, by means of sacbeob causeways. As more structures were added and existing structures re-built or remodeled, the great Maya cities seemed to take on an almost random identity that contrasts sharply with other great Mesoamerican cities such as Teotihuacan and its rigid grid-like construction.
At the heart of the Maya city existed the large plazas surrounded by their most valued governmental and religious buildings such as the royal acropolis, great pyramid temples, and occasionally ballcourts. Though city layouts evolved as nature dictated, careful attention was placed on the directional orientation of temples and observatories so that they were constructed in accordance with Maya interpretation of the orbits of the stars. Immediately outside this ritual center were the structures of lesser nobles, smaller temples, and individual shrines: the less sacred and less important structures had a greater degree of privacy. Outside the constantly evolving urban core were the less permanent and more modest homes of the common people.
Classic Era Maya urban design could easily be described as the division of space by great monuments and causeways. In this case, the open public plazas were the gathering places for the people and the focus of the urban design, while interior space was entirely secondary. Only in the Late Post-Classic era did the great Maya cities develop into more fortress-like defensive structures that lacked, for the most part, the large and numerous plazas of the Classic.
Building process
All evidence seems to suggest that most stone buildings existed on top of a platform sub-structure that varied in height from less than a meter, in the case of terraces and smaller structures, to 45 meters in the case of great temples and pyramids. A flight of often steep stone steps split the large stepped platforms on at least one side, contributing to the common bi-symmetrical appearance of Maya architecture. Depending on the prevalent stylistic tendencies of an area, these platforms most often were built of a stucco and cut stone exterior filled with densely packed gravel. As is the case with many other Maya reliefs, those on the platforms often were related to the intended purpose of the residing structure. Thus, as the sub-structural platforms were completed, the grand residences and temples of the Maya were constructed on the solid foundations of the platforms. As all structures were built, little attention seems to have been given to their utilitarian functionality and much to external aesthetics; however, a certain repeated aspect, the corbeled arch, was often utilized to mimic the appearance and feel of the simple Maya hut. Though not an effective tool to increase interior space, as it required thick stone walls to support the high ceiling, some temples utilized repeated arches, or a corbelled vault, to construct what the Maya referred to as pibnal, or sweatbath, such as those in the Temple of the Cross at Palenque. As structures were completed, typically extensive relief work was added, often to the covering of stucco used to smooth any imperfections; however, many lintel carvings have been discovered, as well as actual stone carvings used as a facade. Commonly, these would continue uninterrupted around an entire structure and contain a variety of artwork pertaining to the inhabitants or purpose of a building. Though not the case in all Maya locations, broad use of painted stucco has been discovered as well.
It has been suggested that, in conjunction to the Maya Long Count Calendar, every fifty-two years, or cycle, temples and pyramids were remodeled and rebuilt. It appears now that the rebuilding process was often instigated by a new ruler or for political matters, as opposed to matching the calendar cycle. However, the process of rebuilding on top of old structures is indeed a common one. Most notably, the North Acropolis at Tikal seems to be the sum total of 1,500 years of architectural modifications.
An architectural revolution
It was in the lowlands exclusively that this "radical transformation" of pre-Columbian architecture took place: the Mayans brutally changed their collective attitude towards monumental architecture in the second half of the pre-classical period.
This is not a coincidence: from the time of the Olmec influence, perhaps that of Central Mexico , the establishment of a social order allowing this evolution is in question. Between 20 and 50 BC BC, the Mayans began a massive program of "public works" aimed at deliberately altering the local landscape. Remnants of this period can be seen in Tikal , Uaxactun , El Mirador, Cival, and Cerros and Lamanaï in Belize .
In each of these locations, village populations that had remained stable for hundreds of years moved to establish their homes near the new centers.
Preclassical Architecture
The massive use of stairs is evident in the early days of the classical, as during the Esperanza phase of Kaminaljuyu and Zaculeu in the western mountainous region of Guatemala. It is also found in Nakbé.
Recycling of monuments
It is a voluntary act that obligatorily requires the destruction of a part, reused for another purpose.
There is talk of recycling without reworking when Olmec coins are found in later Mayan or Nahua caches. For example, the mask found at Templo Mayor de Tenochtitlan shows a concern to establish a relationship with earlier cultures.
But here it is rather the reuse of entire monuments, as illustrated by the architectural "phases" defined by archaeologists to date the construction period of the monuments in question. The Mesoamerican use of building "trundle" pyramids, that is to say, amplifying the previous pyramid by adding a level is one example among others of architectural recycling.
The practice of recycling monuments is not unique to Mesoamerican civilizations, it is found from one civilization to another around the world Note to Abaj Takalik, a colossal head was again carved to be transformed into an altar . The destruction practices date back to the Olmecs (colossal heads).
The preclassical palace of Toniná - contemporary of Teotihuacan - was thus completely obstructed and served as a base for the posterior extension of a pyramid.
Ritual destruction
Sacrificial practice did not apply only to men in Mesoamerica, but it was also performed on stone or clay artifacts . The monuments were sacrificed symbolically, for example "the statues decapitated ritually" of Toniná . All or part of the upper temples of the pyramids were destroyed. It did not matter: the Mayan sites were numerous. The Rosalila temple in Copan is an exception: the Copanecs have carefully preserved it, perhaps as Janice van Cleve explains because it was the center of a cult of the personality: that of the founder of the dynasty. This is also the case on the acropolis of the site of Ek 'Balam , in Yucatan , and outside the Mayan area proper, in Cacaxtla .
Notable constructions
Ceremonial platforms
These were commonly limestone platforms of typically less than four meters in height where public ceremonies and religious rites were performed. Constructed in the fashion of a typical foundation platform, these were often accented by carved figures, altars and perhaps tzompantli, a stake used to display the heads of victims or defeated Mesoamerican ballgame opponents.
Palaces
Large and often highly decorated, the palaces usually sat close to the center of a city and housed the population's elite. Every exceedingly large royal palace, or one consisting of many chambers on different levels might be referred to as an acropolis. However, often these were one-story and consisted of small chambers and typically at least one interior courtyard; these structures appear to take into account the needed functionality required of a residence, as well as the decoration required for their inhabitants stature. Archaeologists seem to agree that many palaces are home to various tombs. At Copán, beneath over four-hundred years of later remodeling, a tomb for one of the ancient rulers has been discovered and the North Acropolis at Tikal appears to have been the site of numerous burials during the Terminal Pre-classic and Early Classic periods.
E-groups
"E-Group" is a classification given by Mayanists to certain structure complexes present at a number of Maya sites located in the central and southern Maya lowlands (e.g., the Petén region). Complexes of this type consist of a stepped pyramid main structure, situated on the western side of a quadrilateral plaza or platform. A raised but rather elongated structure appears along the eastern side of the plaza, running north-south; a variation has three smaller temple mounds on top of or replacing this platform, the middle of these substructures placed directly opposite the main structure. Often, two other subsidiary structures appear on the north and south sides of the plaza, respectively. The main western structure is typically terraced (i.e. has several levels), with inset stairways on each of its four sides, with only the eastern stairway, leading from the plaza, providing access to the summit. The stairways have large balustrades which protrude from the pyramid, which were decorated with large stucco masks and panels of architectural art. In other examples, believed to be of a later date, this quadripartite stairway configuration is lacking.
It has been theorized that these E-groups are observatories due to the precise positioning of the sun through the small temples when viewed from the pyramid during the solstices and equinoxes. Other ideas seem to stem from the possible creation story told by the relief and artwork that adorns these structures.
E-group complexes are named after their prototypical example, Structure E-VII-sub at the site of Uaxactun. They were first identified as a meaningful complex by archaeologist Frans Blom in 1924, who excavated the site under the auspices of the Carnegie Institute.
Triadic Groups
They consist of an elevated platform (either an extensive acropolis or a steep pyramid) with a monumental stairway, with a central building facing the stairs, and two lateral structures facing each other on both sides of the platform. This formal complex has been attributed to the earthly re-creation of the Celestial Hearth (modern-day constellation of Orion), or a stage for enthronement rituals. Most recently Triadic Groups have been interpreted as sanctuaries commemorating Maize God's resurrection upon the Flowery Mountain. Such complexes appear during the Late Preclassic times and gradually decrease in number until their disappearance in the Early Postclassic.
Pyramids and temples
Often the most important temples sat atop towering Maya pyramids, some of over two-hundred feet, such as that at El Mirador. The sanctuary on top commonly was heightened by a crest or roof comb. While recent discoveries point toward the extensive use of pyramids as tombs, the temples themselves seem to rarely, if ever, contain burials.
At Chichén Itzá one there is a pyramid; El Castillo, in Spanish, “the castle”. This is a 91 step per staircase (79-foot) step pyramid and excellent example of Maya myth and astronomical cycles joined in architecture. The architecture clearly shows much about how the Maya and Toltec views and vision of the universe. The dark nighttime skies of the Yucatán provide much inspiration and is incorporated into the architecture.
Also referred to as the Pyramid of Kukulkán, the structure provides a remarkable display that is visible to modern visitors. El Castillo is famous for a bi-annual event falling on the Spring and Fall Equinoxes. The Maya with great understanding of astronomical cycles positioned the Pyramid of Kukulkán to use the setting sun as the light to create a display. Notable is the fact that there are 365 steps on the pyramid, one for each day of the year.
The setting sun's rays are manipulated by the pyramid and joined with the shadows create the illusion of a snake winding its way down the steps of the pyramid. The snake is composed of several triangle shapes giving it the appearance of a diamond back snake. The intent of this display is obviously unknown, although many believe it to be a manifestation of the god Kukulkán, a feathered serpent Maya god. The display is witnessed twice yearly by thousands who watch as the snake winds its way down the stairs. At the base of the pyramid there are massive snake head sculptures that the snake ends its journey by uniting with.
Maya architecture is vastly different from the others in Meso-American cultures. The blend of mythology and astronomical events can be found in nearly all Maya palace or pyramid structures. One will also notice the heavy influence of the Toltec's in the architecture at Chichén Itzá. The Toltec's invaded the Maya and merged their cultural traditions around the year 1000.
Observatories
The Maya were keen astronomers and had mapped out the phases of celestial objects, especially the Sun, Venus and the Moon. Many temples have doorways and other features aligning to celestial events. Round temples, often dedicated to Kukulcan, are perhaps those most often described as "observatories" by modern ruin tour-guides. Somewhat recent studies can corroborate this description of one such building, called "El Caracol", but there is no evidence that such buildings were so used exclusively, and temple pyramids of other shapes may well have been used for observation as well. They were used to see the equinox and other astronomical phenomenons.
Ballcourts
As an integral aspect of the Mesoamerican lifestyle, the courts for their ritual ballgame were constructed throughout the Maya realm, often on a grand scale. The playing alleys of ballcourts were defined by two long walls. Courts built earlier in Maya history (as at Cobá) had sloped sides, while ones built later (as at Chichén Itzá) had vertical sides. Frequently, the ends were enclosed so as to create an I, heavily serifed.png-shaped court when viewed from above.
When the Maya played games in the Ballcourts, the ball was made of solid rubber and was sometimes as much as a foot in diameter. It was passed between teams ranged on opposite ends of the court. The players could hit it only with their knees or hips, much like football or soccer today. Points could be scored when the opponents failed to return the ball correctly. In central Mexico, and in late times in Yucatán, rings of stone were set high up in the side walls of the court. It was considered a particular triumph for a player to knock the ball through the ring.
Cave sites
There are also cave sites that are important to the Maya. Maya cave sites include Jolja Cave, the cave site at Naj Tunich, the Candelaria Caves, and the Cave of the Witch. There are also cave creation myths among the Maya. Some cave sites are still used by the modern Maya in the Chiapas highlands in Mexico.
Source From Wikipedia
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