Architecture of Mesoamerica
At the heart of Mesoamerican citIes were large plazas surrounded by the most important governmental and religious buildings, such as the royal acropolis, great pyramid temples and occasionally ballcourts.Mesoamerican pyramids were generally earth mounds faced with stone. Typically of stepped form, they were topped by a platform or temple that only privileged community members were allowed to approach.
Mayan Architecture
Like many Maya buildings, Maya temples were built of stone, with platforms on the top where wooden and thatch structures could be built. Temples tended to be pyramids, with steep stone steps leading to the top, where important ceremonies and sacrifices took place. Many temples have elaborate stonecarvings and glyphs. Temples were often built with astronomy in mind; certain temples are aligned to the movements of Venus, the sun or moon.
Mayan Architecture
Like many Maya buildings, Maya temples were built of stone, with platforms on the top where wooden and thatch structures could be built. Temples tended to be pyramids, with steep stone steps leading to the top, where important ceremonies and sacrifices took place. Many temples have elaborate stonecarvings and glyphs. Temples were often built with astronomy in mind; certain temples are aligned to the movements of Venus, the sun or moon.
El Castillo is the nickname of one of the most spectacular Mayan temples that dominates the archaeological site of Chichen Itza. The design of the temple has special astronomical significance. Each face of the pyramid has a stairway with 91 steps, which together with the shared step at the top, add up to 365, the number of days in a year