Tikal in Guatemala
This was once a Mayan civilization, and now a protected National Park and Biosphere reserve. The Tikal contains temples, palaces, and public gathering areas. The temple that stands out from the others to me, is the Temple of the Grand Jaguar. (Also just a food for thought- this temple was used in the first Star Wars movie, does it look familiar?) Mayan structures were build with stone and mortar. The Mayans used vault spans to stabilize their structures. This temple is an example of the Mayan roof-comb architecture.
Even though the temple is actually the smallest in Tikal, it is 143 ft tall. It was constructed using limestone, in 9 different levels. According to the website, http://www.vosflips.com/tikal-temple-i-temple-of-the-great-jaguar/, the nine levels are said to represent the nine levels of the underworld. At the very stop, lead by a steep staircase, is the summit shrine.
El Tajin Ruins in Veracruz Mexico
El Tajin is known for its unique architecture, being labeled as the “highest degree of artistry of any ancient city”.
In the center of El Tajin. is the Pyramid of the Niches, standing 60 feet tall. It is a seven-level structure that contains 365 coffers, each build around its seven friezes. The craftsmanship and details of the pyramid is amazing. The niches, that resemble windows, are my favorite part. These niches were built to enrich the silhouette of the temple.
According to our text, at Tajin- the architecture resembles that of the Maya because of how the roof slabs help strengthen the temple. The overhanging cornices typical of the Tajin style are combined with the corbelled vault sections in Mayan architecture.
The Arts: Africa, Oceania, & America 