Maya Civilizations - The Maya World
Where Man, Nature and Time are One
by Producciones Z-E

Architecture

The Maya did not have pack animals, a wheel or metals to work with. Nevertheless, they were the first builders in Mesoamerica. Their architecture was impressive due to its vast size. Mayas used the same effort for their buildings as they initially did for their pyramidal bases, especially after the introduction of the arch, which improved the development of their architecture as a symbol of prestige.

During the classic period, the Maya architecture was an ideal setting for rituals associated with power. A joyous representation of the universe, for instance the worship of dynastic ancestors, funeral ceremonies and other rituals designed to achieve universal order and harmony, as it was the regulation of calendars by means of deambulation.

The principal Maya sites were real cities, not just ceremonial centers. Buildings and architectural complexes fulfilled economic, political, administrative and religious functions representing microcosms that served as settings apparently involving movement from one area to another. These areas observed relations of distance and proximity which gave the cities their open appearance.

Mayan architecture was traditionally set on stone bases. Many of their structures attest to a desire for height as do their temples which represented the link between heaven and earth.

Source: National Geographic Magazine
(Dec. 1975) pg.73