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Essay Subject: This paper provides a discussion of the architecture wrought by the ancient Mayan civilization ...... More...

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Paper Abstract: This paper provides a discussion of the architecture wrought by the ancient Mayan civilization, including their housing, temples, palaces and urban design. Materials and methods used by the Mayans and what these structures represented to their civilization are also addressed. Paper Introduction: Mayan Architecture Introduction The Maya Civilization represents a group of Indians living in whatare now Mexico Guatemala and Honduras A highly advanced ancientcivilization the Mayas developed the only language of the Pre-ColumbianAmericas as well as spectacular art architecture and sophisticatedmathematical and astronomical systems Maya Many of thesearchitectural achievements occurred during the Classic period of Mayancivilization from approximately to CE Maya This analysiswill review the architecture of the Ancient Mayan civilization Body The Mayan civilization was responsible for great works ofarchitecture that according Text of the Paper: The entire text of the paper is shown below. However, the text is somewhat scrambled. We want to give you as much information as we possibly can about our papers and essays, but we cannot give them away for free. In the text below you will find that while disordered, many of the phrases are essentially intact. From this text you will be able to get a solid sense of the writing style, the concepts addressed, and the sources used in the research paper. Lacking metal tools, pulleys andperhaps even the "wheel," Maya architecture demanded one thing inabundance, "manpower" (Maya 7). As the Mayan civilization evolved, so did their style orarchitecture or urban planning. The temples wereconstructed atop immense pyramids with stepped based on either side of thepyramid leading up to the temple. "Mayan Architecture." 13 December 2 6. Body The Mayan civilization was responsible for great works ofarchitecture that, according to one historian, are as "unique andspectacular as Greek or Roman architecture" (Maya 6). The temples were constructed of carvedstone and the only floor in the structure was "adorned on the exterior withelaborate and wonderful stucco decorations" (Lee, Arndt, and Goldmacher 3). Despite centuries ofconquest, many of the structures created by the Mayan civilization arestill extant, a symbol of the artistic and architectural achievements ofthis early civilization. One of the mostfamous Mayan works is the "stepped pyramids" of the Pre-classic period andbeyond (Maya 6). http://library.advanced.org/1 98/mayan.htm, 1-4. Lack any technology to speak of and relyingprimarily on manpower, the Mayans created architectural structures thatrivaled their ancient Greek and Roman counterparts. Mayan Architecture Introduction The "Maya Civilization" represents a group of Indians living in whatare now Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. In many instances, the design of urbanareas was dictated by topography, with architects relying on the naturalfeatures and materials of a particular region. Post andlintel roofs, wood poles, adobe, and thatch were also primary elements usedby the Mayans in their architectural constructions. Conclusion In conclusion, despite being wiped out by invading Europeans, theMayan civilization remains a remarkable example of the sophistication ofancient civilizations. This analysiswill review the architecture of the Ancient Mayan civilization. So, too, these structures reveal a great dealabout the various beliefs, customs, and practices of the Mayans.Works Cited"Maya Civilization." Wikipedia, 2 6. The enormous religious pyramid temples built by the Mayans remainone of their most significant architectural feats. Many of thesearchitectural achievements occurred during the Classic period of Mayancivilization, from approximately 25 to 9 CE (Maya 1). A highly advanced ancientcivilization, the Mayas developed the only language of the "Pre-ColumbianAmericas, as well as spectacular art, architecture, and sophisticatedmathematical and astronomical systems" (Maya 1). The building materials used by Mayans were typically retrieved fromlocal quarries, with limestone being utilized a majority of the timebecause of its pliability when being extracted from quarries. The architectural works of Mayans included structuresneeded for daily existence, such as hut-like housing, to more magnificentworks related to religious beliefs and worship, like temples and pyramids.Because of changes in rulers or political events, every "fifty-two years"according to the Maya Long Count Calendar, "temples and pyramids wereremodeled and rebuilt" (Maya 7). In Classic era Mayanarchitecture, cities were built with large open public gathering spaces,while interior space was relegated to a secondary focus. Notable constructionsincluded palaces, pyramids and temples, ceremonial platforms, observatoriesand ball courts. However, besiegedby conquerors, during the Late Post-Classic era, the Mayan cities"developed into more fortress-like defensive structures that lacked, forthe most part, the large and numerous plazas of the Classic" (Maya 7).Important government buildings like the royal acropolis and religiousbuildings like the great pyramid temples were built by the Mayans despitethe lack of any advanced technology. 13 December 2 6. For example, the Sun Temple was constructed toworship the Sun God who was a central deity in Mayan religious belief andworship. As tomortar, one historian notes that the Mayans uses a "crushed, burnt, andmixed limestone that mimicked the properties of cement and was used just aswidely for stucco finishing as it was for mortar" (Maya 7). Most of these structures were devoted to one god or another held in esteemby the Mayan religion. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayan_civilization, 1-1 .Lee, Alex, Arndt, James, and Goldmacher, Shane. 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