The document discusses Mayan architecture and its response to environmental conditions in Central America. It describes how the Mayans built raised pyramidal platforms to elevate structures above the forest floor and collect rainwater. It also discusses prominent architectural features like the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan, Mexico. The pyramid was positioned on the main axis of the city and measured 217 meters square at its base, with multiple terraces made of adobe and coated with stone and stucco. The Pyramid of the Moon is also described as a giant northern structure in Teotihuacan with a stone stairway and wood-and-thatch building on its summit.

1. MAYAN
ARCHITECTUR
E

2. INTRODUCTION
Central region of mayan civilization- dry sesson of
april and may affects agricultural success. The
raised pyramidal platform as a device to elevate
living surfaces above the forest floor.- as a response
to conditions of high humidity and vigorous plant
growth in the lowland .extensive paved surfaces-
used for staging of ceremonies and also as a run-off
surface for collection of rainwater.
In central america- 2 distinct zones-the spring like climates, with reliable rainfall, in
the upland plateau of present day- mexico, the guatemala highlands, and the
humid tropical lowlands of yucatan and northern guatemala
The highlands of peru offer complex
mountainous terrain, And fertile and
productive soils.

3. •Timber was widely used
•Ealborately carved wood fittings embellished major buildings
•Stone was of greater importance.
•Mortars and plasters of clay, lime,and mud were developed
•Lime plaster- sealed the external surfaces against rain, fungus, plant growth
and animal and insect attack.
•Mineral based pigments- paint buildings
•Red-, blue-grey, polychrome,

4. THE PYRAMID OF
SUN
Pyramid was positioned just to the east of the
street of the dead, the main axis, and was
aligned to the ceremonial orientation, which
controlled all subsequences, development
through out the great city.
The pyramid was an enormous substructure
with five elements which once supposed to
support a building on a sixth platform(now
largely destroyed)
The pyramid is 217mts (712 ft) square at the
base & survives to a height of 57mts (187 ft).
Terraces were of unequal heights and without
mouldings.
It was made of adobe, or pulled mud,
surfaced with stone, which was coated with
thick concrete like “STUCCO”.

5. THE PYRAMID OF
MOON
The pyramid dedicated to moon
deity is a giant structure at the
northern end of teotihuacan’s
major axis.
A stone stairway cutting through a
four tired tablero platform at the
base led to a wood-and-thatch
century on the summit.

6. Temple of warriors, chichen itza

7. Temple of warriors, chichen itza