Copyright by Cristin Loren Cash 2005
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Copyright by Cristin Loren Cash 2005 The Dissertation Committee for Cristin Loren Cash certifies that this is the approved version of the following dissertation: LOCATING THE PLACE AND MEANING OF THE TALUD-TABLERO ARCHITECTURAL STYLE IN THE EARLY CLASSIC MAYA BUILT ENVIRONMENT Committee: __________________________________ Julia Guernsey, Supervisor __________________________________ Rex Koontz __________________________________ Adam Herring __________________________________ John R. Clarke __________________________________ David Stuart __________________________________ Brian Stross LOCATING THE PLACE AND MEANING OF THE TALUD-TABLERO ARCHITECTURAL STYLE IN THE EARLY CLASSIC MAYA BUILT ENVIRONMENT by Cristin Loren Cash, B.A., M.A. Dissertation Presented to the faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Texas at Austin in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy The University of Texas at Austin May 2005 LOCATING THE PLACE AND MEANING OF THE TALUD-TABLERO ARCHITECTURAL STYLE IN THE EARLY CLASSIC MAYA BUILT ENVIRONMENT Publication No. ______________ Cristin Loren Cash, Ph.D. The University of Texas at Austin, 2005 Supervisor: Julia Guernsey This dissertation defines the place and meaning of the talud-tablero architectural style within the context of the Early Classic built environment. In doing so, this study explores the relationship between architectural style and changing perceptions of key spaces within the sacred landscape, particularly those places associated with primordial origins. Theoretically, the dissertation presents a model for “reading” architectural style in order to understand the unique role of style as a carrier of collective memory. I argue that Maya rulers were keenly aware of the power of architectural style to evoke specific spatial and experiential associations in the viewer that reinforced their claims to power. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF MAPS ........................................................................................................... viii LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................................... ix LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS .......................................................................................... x INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 1 CHAPTER ONE A BRIEF SUMMARY OF RESEARCH ON MEXICAN/MAYA INTERACTION AND APPROACHES TO STYLE ...................................................... 6 Archaeological Investigations Carnegie Institution of Washington Investigations at Uaxactun and Kaminaljuyu ......................................................................... 6 Pennsylvania State Excavations at Kaminaljuyu .......................13 The Tikal Project ....................................................................... 17 El Proyecto Nacional de Tikal ................................................... 22 The Early Copan Acropolis Project ........................................... 29 Art Historical Approaches Clemency Chase Coggins .......................................................... 33 Janet Catherine Berlo ................................................................ 39 Andrea Stone ............................................................................. 43 Epigraphic Interpretations – The “Historical” Approach Proskouriakoff and the “arrival of strangers” ............................ 45 Peter Mathews, Linda Schele and David Freidel ...................... 47 David Stuart ............................................................................... 49 Chapter Summary .................................................................................. 55 CHAPTER TWO METHODOLOGICAL PROBLEMS AND THEORETICAL APPROACHES TO “READING” STYLE IN THE MAYA BUILT ENVIRONMENT .............................. 57 Introduction ........................................................................................... 57 Reading Style: Reconciling Meaning and Method Across the Disciplines ........................................................................... 58 Toward a Comprehensive Study of Style .............................................. 61 The Evocative Power of Style ............................................................... 63 Symbolic Architecture and the Reading of Style in the Maya Built Environment ....................................................................... 68 v CHAPTER THREE LOCATING TALUD-TABLERO WITHIN THE EARLY ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIES OF TIKAL, UAXACTUN, RIO AZUL AND COPAN .......................... 73 Introduction ........................................................................................... 73 Tikal ....................................................................................................... 77 Introduction ............................................................................... 77 Site Layout and Architecture .................................................... 80 North Acropolis ............................................................. 81 Mundo Perdido .............................................................. 94 Group 6C-XVI ............................................................. 104 Uaxactun .............................................................................................. 109 Introduction ............................................................................. 109 Site Layout and Architecture ................................................... 111 Group E ....................................................................... 112 Group H ....................................................................... 114 Group A ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, 115 Structure A-I ................................................... 116 East Plaza ........................................................ 116 Structure A-V .................................................. 117 Group B ....................................................................... 119 Rio Azul ............................................................................................... 122 Introduction ............................................................................. 122 Site Layout and Architecture ................................................... 123 Group A ....................................................................... 127 A-3 Complex ................................................... 128 Group B ....................................................................... 131 Group C ....................................................................... 134 Copan ................................................................................................... 138 Introduction ............................................................................. 138 Site Layout and Architecture .................................................. 141 The Origins of the Acropolis and Structure 10L-16 ............... 143 Structure 10L-26 ...................................................................... 158 Chapter Summary ................................................................................ 162 vi CHAPTER FOUR AN ASSESSMENT OF THE MEANING OF THE TALUD-TABLERO STYLE IN THE EARLY BUILT ENVIRONMENTS OF TIKAL, UAXACTUN, RIO AZUL AND COPAN ........................................................................................................................ 165 Introduction ......................................................................................... 165 Interpreting the Meaning of the Talud-Tablero Style at Four Maya Cities ................................................................................. 167 Tikal ......................................................................................... 168 North Acropolis ........................................................... 169 Mundo Perdido ............................................................ 170 Group 6C-XVI ............................................................. 172 Talud-Tablero at Tikal ................................................ 173 Uaxactun .................................................................................. 180 Rio Azul ................................................................................... 183 Copan ....................................................................................... 190 Evaluating the Meaning of the Talud-Tablero Style in the Early Classic Maya Built Environment ............................................... 198 Talud-Tablero and the Concept of Tollan in the Maya Built Environment ......................................................... 202 The Role of Talud-Tablero in the Process of Dynastic Foundation ............................................................... 207 Conclusions ......................................................................................... 210 MAPS .......................................................................................................................... 212 TABLES ...................................................................................................................... 219 ILLUSTRATIONS ...................................................................................................... 226 BIBLIOGRAPHY ....................................................................................................... 327 VITA 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