Early Classic Mayan

Structure E-VII-sub

Uaxactun


decorated with

architectural “mask”

reliefs: Jaguar God of

the Underworld &

Sky Serpents

Early Classic Maya, Uaxactún:

Mural with Elites in Structure B-XIII (reproduction)

Tikal, North Acropolis 


built during Early Classic Maya, ca. 200 BCE to 200 CE

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Stele 31 with Siyah Chan K’awiil (“Stormy Sky”)
 (limestone, 90-1/2” tall)
 erected 445 CE

• erected in North Acropolis, Tikal

• most significant early Classic Maya stele

• records lineage of ruler “Stormy Sky

• carved on 3 sides with figural low-relief imagery

• earlier rulers are shown & presented as divine—suggesting future role of Stormy Sky

• back: glyphic text

Tikal, Stele 31:

Nun Yax Ayiin

(“Curl Nose”) diagram of 3 sides of the stele

Tlaloc face shield:

link to Teotihuacan

• Side figures thought to represent ruler’s father Nun Yax Ayiin (“Curl Nose”)

• Ruler holds headdress & Jaguar god of the Underworld

• center curving element near face of ruler: reference to Cosmic World Tree

• Left side “Curl Nose” holds heart object (sacrifice symbol)

• Reverse of stele features longest text from Early Classic period

Early Classic Maya

Rosalila: depiction of Bird God with anthropomorphic heads

• likely commissioned by Lord “Moon Jaguar,” 10th king of Copan

• featured 3 levels with a roofcomb

• shrine has 4 rooms

• stucco relief faces refer to various deities who are linked to the Underworld & the forces of Nature

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Palenque, Chiapas Mexico: Palace Complex with observation tower reconstructed and expanded ca. 650-750 CE

• architects at Palenque refined the corbel vault, creating larger interior spaces

• walls were plastered with a limestone stucco

• architects also used unique niche-like cutouts to lighten the load of the ceiling on the walls

Late Classic Maya: Palenque, Temple of Inscriptions

-Built as a funerary temple to honor Pacal I

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Late Classic Maya: Palenque, Sarchauphegus Lid of Pacal I

-Pacal drinking from a fountain/tree of life

Late Classic Maya: Tikal, Temple I ("Temple of the Jaguars"

- Burial place of Jasaw Chan K'awiil, ruler of Tikal

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Late Classic Maya: Copan, Structure 22 Doorway

-Represents the midpoint between the Underworld and Celestial Realm

Late Classic Maya: Copan, Hieroglyphic Staircase

Late Classic Maya: Chicanna (Puuk style), Monster Mouth Doorway

- doorway represents the myth of the Creator Deity Itzamna and/or mouth of the Underworld; would lead into a shrine room or temple

• typical of Puuk style: elaborate mosaic design that covers entire façade

• frontal & profile faces (bicephalic); step-fret design

Late Classic Maya: Uxmal, Pyramid of the Magician

-“Puuk” style: use of thin limestone veneer;

-stone mosaics on buildings

Late Classic Maya: Uxmal, House of the Governor

-Built by Lord Chac

- Puuk style lime and mosaics

Late Classic Maya: Kabah, Great Arch

(stone with plaster traces)

located along the sacbe (stone road/causeway) that linked Kabah to Uxmal

may have been a ceremonial entrance to Kaba or a border marker

free-standing corbel-vault

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Late Classic Maya: Bonampak, Temple of the Murals

- Built under reign of Lord Yahaw Chaan Muwan and commemorates his prestige and power

- 3 Corbel-vaulted rooms

- Painted floor to ceiling on stuccoed walls

- Best preserved Mayan wall painting

- Room 1: Royal Procession; Room 2: Battle Scene; Room 3: Celebration and Ritual Activities

Late Classic Maya, Yaxchilan

Lintel 25, Structure 23
ca. 709 CE
 (stone relief, 4’3” tall)

• found in building dedicated to Lady K’ab’al Xok

• She performs bloodletting ritual & has vision of a spirit emerging from serpent

• glyphs name Ixik Yohl, goddess associated with Teotihuacán

• created to honor husband Lord Shield Jaguar II

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(Just bottom photo, not top)

Early Classic Maya: Leiden Plaque

(jadeite, 8-1/2" long)

- Once worn as part of costume on belt or chest

- incised image depicts Maya lord "Zero Moon Bird" conquering an enemy

-Features glyphs on back and date: 320 CE

Late Classic Maya: Eccentric Flint with Crocodile Canoe

(chert)

- sacred blade, most likely placed in offering cache or burial

- features a crocodile canoe with 5 anthropomorphic figures

- symbol of elite authority an power

- Crocodile canoe relates to Maya myth of "First Father"

- Central figure may be "First Father" being taken to Underworld to be reborn as Maize Deity

-Head at tail is Maize Deity

Early Classic Mayan: The "Dazzler" Lidded Vessel from Copan

-Gessoed and painted, inspired by technique from Teotihuacan

-Found in tomb of elite woman

Early Classic Maya: Tikal, Old Deity Effigy Figure

(ceramic)

-found in tomb of ruler Yax Nuun Ayiin

-Represents unknown mythic figure

-two part incensario

-figure holds head as offer; sits on throne with femure bone legs

-imagery relates to concept of sacrifice in context of ruler's role

-burnished and feature applique elements

Late Classic Maya: Embracing Couple, Jaina style ceramic figurine

(terracotta with pigment)

-distinctive style found on the island of Jaina off Yucatan Peninsula

-Island used as a necropolis for Maya elite

-Holloware grave objects made from mold, suggesting this is not a specific portrait

-Naturalistic style

-figures may be metaphor of life (woman) embraced by death (old man)

Mayan: Codex-Style Pot with Baby Jaguar Sacrifice

(ceramic)

-images painted with fine outlines

-monochromatic pigment on cream buff surface

-rim typically red

-narrative scenes: muths, historical events, & supernatural beings

-made to hold, mix, or drink cacao