Classic Mayan Architecture Mayan culture existed a thousand years ago, in what is now part of Central America. Its ruins were almost entirely abandoned by 600 A.D, and were not rediscovered until the early 1500’s, by Spanish settlers. Mayan architecture astounded the early conquistadors, and continues to be of great interest to modern archeologists as well. These scientists have labeled a certain period of Mayan architectural history as the “Classic” period. This refers to a period when the Mayan civilization flourished, and extended from 300 to roughly 900 A.D (Miller 52). Because of our image of classical antiquity, the word “Classic” implies the heights of cultured accomplishment. In the classic period, we envision musicians filling the streets with celestial harmonies, poets praising the universe under arches designed by the greatest architects who ever lived. And this is the image Mayanists had in mind when they adopted the term “Classic” in the 1950s. At around A.D. 300 in our calendar, the first inscriptions appeared in Maya sites. There were no awkward preliminary attempts. Even the earliest were beautiful--it was as though the gods had delivered them complete. Then, after 600 years, they ceased. The sites in this period indeed seemed “Classic”—the Maya had been at their best. It truly seems possible that all the wonders thought to mark the Classic period had similarly appeared completely and suddenly, like a rabbit from a magician’s hat (Culbert 162). In this paper I will try to analyze Mayan architecture by relating some of its major components to the reader. “Temples, pyramids, and ball courts seem to be major themes in Classic Mayan architecture. The actual physical location of these buildings in relation to one another, Staats 3and the elements of their construction are also a major part of understanding Classic Mayan architec...
