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Outstanding
Maya ruins are found all over Central America. This particular
image is the view from the East Court of the Palace in Palenque,
facing towards House A. The Maya built the palace, a complex of
many connected buildings, over a long span of time. House A was
one of the newer buildings, perhaps built in the late 7th or early
8th century. In the foreground of the image, indigenous people
repose around and upon the ruins, perhaps on a break from clearing
or excavating the site.
The
Palace gives evidence the Maya were accomplished architects. For
this building to exist the Maya needed to use complex and innovative
architectural strategies. Ingeniously, the Maya included such
elements as small niches in the vaults to lessen the weight of
the roof and an advanced drainage system to eliminate the weight
of excess water. The result is the fascinating building shown
in Catherwood's drawing. [Spanish
version].
ABBY SOUTHWELL |
