Buildings were begun in Formative period, when
architecture showed influences from other
cultures, particularly Olmec. Later, Maya
architecture was affected by mythical and
religious ideas. This is why temples and places,
citadels and ball courts were built in the center
of cities, while houses of ordinary people stood
on the outskirts.
It was in Classic period that the typical Maya
features emerged, such as corbel or Maya arch,
superposed terraces, moldings, roof crests and
columns that in combination gave rise to several
distinctive styles, known as:
Peten: Buildings standing on stepped
terraces, thick walls, sloping sections, staircase
projecting from facade, tall roof crests on the
rear wall and decoration of stucco masks. This
style is found on sites such as Calakmul in
Mexico, and Tikal, Piedras and Uaxactun in
Guatemala.
Palenque: Vertical base platforms,
staircases with side ramps, facades decorated with
stucco figures, roof crests on the central wall,
temples with two rooms, the rear one being used as
shrine. This style is found at Yaxchilan, Palenque
and Bonampak in Mexico, at Copan in Honduras and
Quirigua in Guatemala.
In 1952, a funeral chamber was discovered in
Temple of Inscriptions at Palenque; in June 1994,
another similarly magnificent one was opened cole
by.
Rio Bec: Characterized by the use of
stylized pyramidal bases, purely decorative
stairways that look like high towers at the sides
of the temple and decoration formed of stone
mosaic. To be seen at Xpuhil, Rio Bec and
Hormiguero in Mexico.
Chenes: Style that developed together with Puuc,
so the two contain similar elements such as bases
with sloping, stepped tiers, roof crests standing
on the front part, columns and vertical friezes,
and decoration based on stone mosaic forming
masks, small columns, latticework, pillar drums
and panels.
Present at Labna, Kabah, Uxmal, Sayil, Hochob and
Edzna in Mexico. Some of the most beautiful
buildings in this style are at Uxmal, such as
Pyramid of Magician and Governor's Palace.
Puuc: Which differs mainly in decoration
made of stone mosaic on the friezes, not on the
entire facade.
Mexica or Maya-Toltec: This was the
result of Toltec cultural influence, although it
retains some Puuc elements. Features are
high platforms and sloping walls, staircases with
serpent heads at the bottom, and altars decorated
with skulls: Chichen Itza, Tulum and Mayapan in
Mexico.
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