Mesoamerican Architecture as a Cultural SymbolJeff Karl Kowalski In this collection, prominent scholars provide new interpretations and useful syntheses of many of the most significant Mesoamerican architectural traditions from the Preclassic to the Postclassic periods. The essays examine the built environment as a carrier of cultural meanings. The many pyramid-temples, palaces, and ballcourts comprising Mesoamerican centers were constructed in the context of hierarchical societies, and provided monumental expressions of elite authority. The design of individual buildings, as well as the layout of site plans, often embodied Mesoamerican beliefs about the structure of the cosmos, natural forces, or the numinous power of landscape forms, thus providing sanction for the sociopolitical order. |
Contents
The Ritual | 14 |
The Architecture of the Teuchitlán Tradition of Mexicos | 40 |
1350 B C A D 500 | 58 |
Copyright | |
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Acropolis ancient appear architecture associated Ballcourt buildings carved central ceremonial Chac chapter Chichén Itzá Classic Classic period columns complex construction Copan Court cultural deity depicted Early east edited elite evidence example excavated face figure floor four function Group heads House human identified important indicates interpretation kings known Kowalski Late later located Lord major Maya means Mesoamerican meters Mexico Mitla Monte monumental Mound northern noted offerings Olmec original painted palaces period phase platform plaza political Press probably Pyramid reference region represent ritual rulers sacred sculpture serpent served showing side similar skull societies space stairway stone Structure suggests supported symbol Tajín Temple Templo Mayor Teotihuacan terraces tion tomb Tula University Uxmal Venta Veracruz volume wall Warriors Xochicalco