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Architectural Advancements of the Maya... What They Did and Why it Matters
Mayan architecture was a huge advancement. Compared to other civilizations in their time period, the Mayans were very progressive. These are some examples of buildings the Mayans used every day.
The basic Mayan structure was the hay hut. It housed most of Maya's population. The supporting poles were never longer than two meters, and could be from fifty centimeters to two meters high. On the top, the structure has another three and a half to four and a half meters! ("Maya Civilization").
Limetsone huts were less common than hay huts, as they were stronger and more expensive. These also had sloped roofs, and were generally the same as the hay huts. The limestone was acquired from nearby quarries. Limestone deposits were common because of the cenotes in the ground ("Maya Architecture").
Mayan temples were about forty-five meters on average and imitated mountains. The entrance to temples were entrances to the mountains, and were supposed to lead to the heart of the mountain. The two types of temples were the type that could be climbed- these were used in sacrifices and were accessible by the king and high priest in special sacrificial rituals -and the type that could not be climbed -these were too steep to climb and had false doors that led to nowhere. They were used as shelters to certain gods and had designs unique to that individual god ("Mayan Religion: Pyramids, Animals, Spirits and Gods").
These architectural innovations led to the rise of Maya and contributed to their religious rituals.
The basic Mayan structure was the hay hut. It housed most of Maya's population. The supporting poles were never longer than two meters, and could be from fifty centimeters to two meters high. On the top, the structure has another three and a half to four and a half meters! ("Maya Civilization").
Limetsone huts were less common than hay huts, as they were stronger and more expensive. These also had sloped roofs, and were generally the same as the hay huts. The limestone was acquired from nearby quarries. Limestone deposits were common because of the cenotes in the ground ("Maya Architecture").
Mayan temples were about forty-five meters on average and imitated mountains. The entrance to temples were entrances to the mountains, and were supposed to lead to the heart of the mountain. The two types of temples were the type that could be climbed- these were used in sacrifices and were accessible by the king and high priest in special sacrificial rituals -and the type that could not be climbed -these were too steep to climb and had false doors that led to nowhere. They were used as shelters to certain gods and had designs unique to that individual god ("Mayan Religion: Pyramids, Animals, Spirits and Gods").
These architectural innovations led to the rise of Maya and contributed to their religious rituals.
Mayan City Structure, Warfare, Entertainment, and Religion
Mayan city-states grew to house between five thousand and fifty thousand people. In total, they grew up to have two million people! Each major city-state (based on Tikal) was complete with a central acropolis- a place with buildings used daily by the royal court, a ball court- an I-shaped court used to play a sacred ball game dubbed tlatchli by the Aztecs, a north acropolis- a place of royal burial, showing pre-classic style to express their religion, and several temples. Tikal is home to "temple four", which is around seventy meters in height- the second tallest Mayan piece of architecture! A tomb was found in the temple, but DNA research has been inconclusive. To this day, no one knows whom the tomb holds ("Central Acropolis") ("Ball Court").
The game tlatchli was not only a fun pastime, it was used to settle governmental decisions. Kings would participate in this game on certain occasions. One record illustrates a true story in which two powerful kings are threatened by Pedro de Alvarado and his troops. Neither kings wants to give up his army to fight them. The high priests decide that the kings will decide what to do by playing tlatchli- the loser would send his army to their deaths at the hands of the conquistadors. Tlatchli is a laborous game that is set up in a way that can make it go on for hours and hours. The heavy rubber ball had to be constantly bounced on one's hip, and the goal was to keep the ball away from the opposing team and not drop it. Earning three points in a row would make a win- but dropping the ball erased all points ("Maya Civilization")!
Although these examples are only based on the city-state Tikal, its general layout mirrored that of other city-states. However, most city-states only had one or two minor temples; Tikal instead had four large ones dedicated to wealthy kings and nobles ("Central Acropolis").
Mayan civilization was not considered unified. City-states encountered many conflicts between one another, and warred constantly. (Fun fact: when going to war, Mayans would pray to the Sun Jaguar- their god of war, and then don disguises of eagles and lightning.) ("Central Acropolis").
The reason Mayans were clumped together into one civilization is because they all shared the same culture, including religion, architecture, societal pyramid, as well as many other things. Besides, they warred with each other for the sake of their individual gods. Many city-states worshipped one god more than the others, and fought in this god's name to win their favor. Their wars were rarely ever political. Wars had been going on for about three thousand years. They used wooden spears with obsidian tips, and shields with red, yellow, green, and blue feathers for decoration. Because there was no sign of a political system, many people incorrectly concluded that the Mayas were a peaceful race ("Maya Weapons and Warfare").
The game tlatchli was not only a fun pastime, it was used to settle governmental decisions. Kings would participate in this game on certain occasions. One record illustrates a true story in which two powerful kings are threatened by Pedro de Alvarado and his troops. Neither kings wants to give up his army to fight them. The high priests decide that the kings will decide what to do by playing tlatchli- the loser would send his army to their deaths at the hands of the conquistadors. Tlatchli is a laborous game that is set up in a way that can make it go on for hours and hours. The heavy rubber ball had to be constantly bounced on one's hip, and the goal was to keep the ball away from the opposing team and not drop it. Earning three points in a row would make a win- but dropping the ball erased all points ("Maya Civilization")!
Although these examples are only based on the city-state Tikal, its general layout mirrored that of other city-states. However, most city-states only had one or two minor temples; Tikal instead had four large ones dedicated to wealthy kings and nobles ("Central Acropolis").
Mayan civilization was not considered unified. City-states encountered many conflicts between one another, and warred constantly. (Fun fact: when going to war, Mayans would pray to the Sun Jaguar- their god of war, and then don disguises of eagles and lightning.) ("Central Acropolis").
The reason Mayans were clumped together into one civilization is because they all shared the same culture, including religion, architecture, societal pyramid, as well as many other things. Besides, they warred with each other for the sake of their individual gods. Many city-states worshipped one god more than the others, and fought in this god's name to win their favor. Their wars were rarely ever political. Wars had been going on for about three thousand years. They used wooden spears with obsidian tips, and shields with red, yellow, green, and blue feathers for decoration. Because there was no sign of a political system, many people incorrectly concluded that the Mayas were a peaceful race ("Maya Weapons and Warfare").