Browsing by Subject "Maya architecture"

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Dancing in the watery past : mythical history and performative architecture in the Palace of Palenque
(2012-05) Rodriguez, Gretel; Stuart, David, 1965-; Guernsey, Julia
This thesis analyzes a series of stucco reliefs that decorate the piers of House D of the Palace of Palenque, a Classic Maya city in modern Chiapas, Mexico. Each of the five extant piers of House D depict pairs of individuals facing each other and engaged in what appears to be ritual performances associated with dance and sacrifice. I rely on an iconographic analysis of the reliefs of House D and on a reading of the architecture in relation to the surrounding built environment in order to reconstruct ancient patterns of viewership. I argue that the reliefs of House D of the Palace present a royal narrative where myth and history are fused, and that this combination is validated through ritual performance. The integration of mythical and historical narratives is transmitted through the ruler's enactment of past events that take place in a watery environment signifying the mythical origins of the city of Palenque. This performative narrative at the same time reproduces and perpetuates the actual ceremonies that took place in and around the building, specifically in the monumental stairway and in the ceremonial plaza that flank the building on its western margin. The dynastic messages embedded in the narrative of the piers, and its incorporation into the performances associated with the building, serve to promote the military accomplishments and the political legitimacy of a new ruling dynasty, initiated by the king of Palenque K'inich Janab Pakal, who is the main figure portrayed on the reliefs.
Locating the place and meaning of the Talud-Tablero architectural style in the early classic Maya built environment
(2005) Cash, Cristin Loren; Guernsey, Julia, 1964-
This dissertation defines the place and meaning of the talud-tablero architectural style within the context of the Early Classic built environment. In doing so, this study explores the relationship between architectural style and changing perceptions of key spaces within the sacred landscape, particularly those places associated with primordial origins. Theoretically, the dissertation presents a model for “reading” architectural style in order to understand the unique role of style as a carrier of collective memory. I argue that Maya rulers were keenly aware of the power of architectural style to evoke specific spatial and experiential associations in the viewer that reinforced their claims to power.
Signs of life: cultural memory and experience as performed by un-animated objects in the ancient Maya ceremonial arena
(2005) Wright, Ann Chapman; Miller, Lynn, 1951-; Stuart, David, 1965-
A stone canvas: interpreting Maya building materials and construction technology
(2005) Wernecke, Daniel Clark; Valdez, Fred, Jr., 1953-
This dissertation will bring together from disparate sources what is known today about the building materials used by the ancient Maya and the construction technology they used to assemble their remarkable buildings. This knowledge will then be utilized to examine questions regarding Maya technology and specialization from a “bottom up” viewpoint in hopes of pointing out a valuable tool for examining the ancient Maya and delineating gaps in our knowledge. The study of Maya architecture has long depended on works on engineering and architecture that were written in the 1930’s and 40’s. While excellent for their time these works were in many cases speculative or incomplete and do not compare with modern materials research or archaeological method. Studies and knowledge, from both within and without the archaeological community, are gathered together in the first part of this work to examine what is known about the materials and technology used in building the Maya centers. The second half takes this knowledge and utilizes to examine two current scientific questions in Mesoamerica. The first is wholly practical and utilizes the knowledge of technology and procedure to look at Maya lime burning. The specific question is whether or not the ancient Maya possessed kiln technologies beyond that of open heap burning. If they were able to use more fuel and temperature-efficient methods this would have broad implications for the reconstruction of the Maya environment as well as the Maya use of labor. The second is theoretical and takes what we know of the practical crafts and characteristics and applies that information to an examination of specialization among the ancient Maya, specifically whether or not Maya monumental buildings were planned or constructed by architects. The assumption to date has been that Maya architects existed which again holds implications for the ancient use of labor, social hierarchies and knowledge base.