RESEARCH QUESTIONS The Mayas had intriguing architecture and art. Their architecture consisted of pyramids, temples, houses, and palaces. Pyramids were usually made of limestone, and had temples on top. These temples were so narrow that they were only used for special ceremonies. The commoners of Mayan society lived in rural houses or small villages near their farms. In contrast, the rulers and nobles lived in large, low buildings (Hageman, Jon B.) These buildings were commonly decorated with roof combs, which were tall, thin ornaments to make the house closer to the gods (McKissack, Patricia C.).
Maya art came primarily in two forms: painting, and sculpting. Paintings were drawn with a bold outline, then colored in. Most paintings were two-dimensional rather than three-dimensional. This type of artwork is commonly found on pots. Pots were most common in the pre-classic era. Sculptures were made using two materials, clay and stone. Clay was used for small statues of men and women. However, stone was used for large sculptings of previous rulers or priests. These statues could be up to thirty feet tall( Hageman, Jon B.).
Mayan civilization was classified in what is known as city states. Typical city states consisted of multiple stepped platforms topped with statues, palaces, pyramids, temples, houses, a plaza, and a ball court. These structures were arranged around the plaza, with a pyramid and temple on one end, and houses and palaces around others( Hageman Jon B.).
Some city states, like Tikal, were interconnected by stone roads. However, Maya city state boundaries are hard to decipher, mainly because buildings were erected in an unplanned fashion. The buildings were continually being torn down and rebuilt multiple times(Hageman, Jon B.).
City states usually governed themselves, but some smaller states were taken over by bigger states. City states never united to a single government, although during the post classic period, Chitzen Itza developed a council instead of a single ruler. Many rulers were executed and sacrificed, especially in the classic period(Hageman Jon B.). Overall, the Maya were a wonderful civilization, full of color, beauty, and intelligence.
Maya art came primarily in two forms: painting, and sculpting. Paintings were drawn with a bold outline, then colored in. Most paintings were two-dimensional rather than three-dimensional. This type of artwork is commonly found on pots. Pots were most common in the pre-classic era. Sculptures were made using two materials, clay and stone. Clay was used for small statues of men and women. However, stone was used for large sculptings of previous rulers or priests. These statues could be up to thirty feet tall( Hageman, Jon B.).
Mayan civilization was classified in what is known as city states. Typical city states consisted of multiple stepped platforms topped with statues, palaces, pyramids, temples, houses, a plaza, and a ball court. These structures were arranged around the plaza, with a pyramid and temple on one end, and houses and palaces around others( Hageman Jon B.).
Some city states, like Tikal, were interconnected by stone roads. However, Maya city state boundaries are hard to decipher, mainly because buildings were erected in an unplanned fashion. The buildings were continually being torn down and rebuilt multiple times(Hageman, Jon B.).
City states usually governed themselves, but some smaller states were taken over by bigger states. City states never united to a single government, although during the post classic period, Chitzen Itza developed a council instead of a single ruler. Many rulers were executed and sacrificed, especially in the classic period(Hageman Jon B.). Overall, the Maya were a wonderful civilization, full of color, beauty, and intelligence.
BY SOPHIE