From architecture much can be learned of a civilization. The Mayans left behind some the most immense structres in Latin America, which they built without domesticated animals, cranes, or the wheel. One of the most important features of their vast array of buildings was the pyramid. One of the most important features of the Maya city, the pyramid served as both temple and tomb, both open for human use and closed to all but the gods, as it cowered over the surroudning structures and forest. Unlike the well-known Egyptian pyramids, the Mayan version had many steps and staircases along the side, often leading to a temple resting atop the over 100 foot high structure. These pyramids varied greatly in use and construct, especially between region and time period. As the civlization grew, various exterior influences led to the creation of the radial style pyramid. As archeologists have found while examining all the different sites in "Mayaland," the pyramid came to represent a diverse nation filled with different artistic styles, cultures, and classes.
Structure: Radial Pyramid The radial pyramid was a very integral part of Maya architecture, especially as it developed into a major religious structure during the late Classic era of Mesoamerican history. As contrasted to the earlier temple pyramid, the radial pyramid had a flat top with four entrances on the four stepped sides instead of one central opening. The radial pyramid could greatly range in size, as usually the large pyramid was a symbol of more religious importance. These pyramids were completely constructed of stone and would surround temples, palaces and altars.
Stage 1: Constructing the Foundation
Level 1
Levels 1-2
Levels 1-3
Levels 1-4
Levels 1-5
Foundation Complete
Stage 2: Paper Mache
Stage 2: Paper Mache over the foundation to strengthen before painting
This document is a report of the beginnings of excavation at Holmul, Guatamala, a once-populous Mayan city on the Yucatan peninsula, by a group of archaeologists from various universities in the United States. The Holmul Archaeological Project sought to gain a better understanding of Holmul through various field surveys, mappings and excavations, and then apply their data to an analysis of the Mayan civilization at the end of the Classic period in Mesoamerica.
On May 23rd, 2008, the team arrived at the site to begin the long process of excavation and analysis. They began by mapping the area, focusing on three central acropolis-groups, I, II and III. The first two groups contain many pyramids of various sizes, temples, altars, stelae, and other religious buildings. Group Three, however, is a palace complex, with two courts, one large stepped pyramid, and several tunnels. Although a victim of looting, some rooms in group three did remain fairly intact and contained some late classic pottery, thus helping to date the surrounding architecture. The last section of the Holmul site is the Western Transect, which contained a mapped 43 structures, 4 stelae, 1 altar, 10 chultuns, 3 terraces, 2 long beams, 4 quarry pits, 4 quarry marks with cut stone blocks on the surface of the bedrock, and several tunnels, all within a relatively small area.
Through mapping the site's features, the Holmul Archeological Project uses this data to "help elucidate the economic, political, and ritual structure of Holmul as a medium-sized central Peten Maya city of the Classical period, as well as help understand its rise and demise as a focus of Maya settlement" (24). ~~~
Estrada-Belli, Francisco, and Gonzales, Jason, and Wolf, Marc, and Kosakowsky, Laura, and Ebersole, Justin. "Archaeological Investigations at Holmul, Guatemala: Report of the First Field Season May-June 2000." VanderbiltUniversity. 10 Nov 2008. <http://www.vanderbilt.edu/estrada-belli/holmul/reports/HOLMUL_00_report.pdf>.
Abstract:
From architecture much can be learned of a civilization. The Mayans left behind some the most immense structres in Latin America, which they built without domesticated animals, cranes, or the wheel. One of the most important features of their vast array of buildings was the pyramid. One of the most important features of the Maya city, the pyramid served as both temple and tomb, both open for human use and closed to all but the gods, as it cowered over the surroudning structures and forest. Unlike the well-known Egyptian pyramids, the Mayan version had many steps and staircases along the side, often leading to a temple resting atop the over 100 foot high structure. These pyramids varied greatly in use and construct, especially between region and time period. As the civlization grew, various exterior influences led to the creation of the radial style pyramid. As archeologists have found while examining all the different sites in "Mayaland," the pyramid came to represent a diverse nation filled with different artistic styles, cultures, and classes.
Structure:
Radial Pyramid
The radial pyramid was a very integral part of Maya architecture, especially as it developed into a major religious structure during the late Classic era of Mesoamerican history. As contrasted to the earlier temple pyramid, the radial pyramid had a flat top with four entrances on the four stepped sides instead of one central opening. The radial pyramid could greatly range in size, as usually the large pyramid was a symbol of more religious importance. These pyramids were completely constructed of stone and would surround temples, palaces and altars.
Stage 1: Constructing the Foundation
Stage 2: Paper Mache
Finished Pyramid:
Primary Document:
"Archealogical Investigations at Holmul, Guatemala: Report of the First Field Season, May-June 2000"
Summary of Results of the First Feild Study:
This document is a report of the beginnings of excavation at Holmul, Guatamala, a once-populous Mayan city on the Yucatan peninsula, by a group of archaeologists from various universities in the United States. The Holmul Archaeological Project sought to gain a better understanding of Holmul through various field surveys, mappings and excavations, and then apply their data to an analysis of the Mayan civilization at the end of the Classic period in Mesoamerica.
On May 23rd, 2008, the team arrived at the site to begin the long process of excavation and analysis. They began by mapping the area, focusing on three central acropolis-groups, I, II and III. The first two groups contain many pyramids of various sizes, temples, altars, stelae, and other religious buildings. Group Three, however, is a palace complex, with two courts, one large stepped pyramid, and several tunnels. Although a victim of looting, some rooms in group three did remain fairly intact and contained some late classic pottery, thus helping to date the surrounding architecture. The last section of the Holmul site is the Western Transect, which contained a mapped 43 structures, 4 stelae, 1 altar, 10 chultuns, 3 terraces, 2 long beams, 4 quarry pits, 4 quarry marks with cut stone blocks on the surface of the bedrock, and several tunnels, all within a relatively small area.
Through mapping the site's features, the Holmul Archeological Project uses this data to "help elucidate the economic, political, and ritual structure of Holmul as a medium-sized central Peten Maya city of the Classical period, as well as help understand its rise and demise as a focus of Maya settlement" (24).
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The Goal of the Project:
"The site's location at the cross-roads of important geographical and political boundaries between the Tikal state and its eastern neighbors of Northeastern Petén, such as Naranjo, Yaxha, Nakum, Xultun, El Pilar, Buenavista del Cayo, and Xunantunich during the Classic period, presents important implications for our understanding of the political interactions among Maya cities in this part of the Lowlands as evident from their trajectories of growth, settlement and trade patterns. In particular, it is believed that observation of the architectural configuration of the site center, elite ceramic styles, iconography and burial patterns when correlated with the layouts and patterns of growth of the residential areas may help understand the growth of the city as a political player in the complex geo-political landscape of the Classic period Maya Lowlands" (3).
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Analysis:
In my paper, I will compare several different Mayan cities of various time periods (Preclassic - Late Classic) and look specifically at different forms of pyramids. For the Classic period, I will use Holmul for examples of architecture. The excavation report from the Holmul Archeological Project is therefore very useful in gathering important quantitative data on Holmul's buildings, specifically their pyramids.
I hope to compare several aspects over several eras, including layout of the sites, size of buildings, prominent structures, and types of pyramids. This document provides me with information on all of the above. The report lists specific heights and positions of the many structures, and speaks on the general three-part layout of the buildings. The report also gives details about the specific types of pyramids and their dimensions, which will be very useful in comparison.
This document is especially great not just because it gives me raw data that I can use for comparison at my own leisure, but I also know the information to be correct, as it was gathered firsthand by a team of acredited archeologists from Vanderbilt University on a series archeological endeavor. Thus, I do not have to compare different forms of pyramids based solely on what I see in tourist photos. Also, the document is mostly fact, and does not form its own analysis of the site, thus avoiding sweeping generalizations which can lead to improper and incorrect analysis.
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Citation:
Estrada-Belli, Francisco, and Gonzales, Jason, and Wolf, Marc, and Kosakowsky, Laura, and Ebersole, Justin. "Archaeological Investigations at Holmul, Guatemala: Report of the First Field Season May-June 2000." Vanderbilt University. 10 Nov 2008. <http://www.vanderbilt.edu/estrada-belli/holmul/reports/HOLMUL_00_report.pdf>.