Mayan Architecture

Many cities in mesoamerica (Central America, and Mexico) were inhabited by several different civilizations, and subsequently have architecture from each one. That is why the architecture of these people is very similar.

Mayan architecture is very similar to Aztec, but does have some differences. Like the Aztecs, Mayans built pyramids as temples. They were usually step pyramids, with stairways going up one or more of the sides to a terrace or temple at the top. The Mayans built temples for each specific god. Because they had so much stone in the area, they could build many fascinating buildings. Today, in some places you can still see many tall slender pyramids sticking up above the trees.

There were two types of pyramids built to honor the rulers. One was the twin pyramid complex. It consisted of two identical stepped flat top pyramids. They have been found in Tikal (a Mayan city) on either side of a plaza dedicated to the ruler. The other type of pyramid was the mortuary pyramid. It was a pyramid with nine stages (levels). The rulers that these pyramids were built for had their tombs beneath it, and were worshipped like gods after their death.

The Mayans were the scientific race in mesoamerica. They had observatories on top of some of their temples. The Castillo temple, at the amazing city of Chichen Itza, had 4 different staircases with 91 steps on each; one step for each day of the year.

Mayan houses were mostly limestone huts with two sided slanted roofs. Other houses were huts made out of stone or mud, covered with sticks.