Description

Temple I was built for the 26th ruler of Tikal, Jasaw. The building date is unknown as it is unclear if Jasaw built it before his death or if his son, Yik'in, constructed it in honor of his deceased father. In contrast to Egyptian pyramids, to which they are often erroneously compared, Maya 'step pyramids' served numerous functions besides mortuary ones, and were constructed not from large, solid stone blocks but from smaller, cut stone blocks on top of a rubble-fill core. Also, new temples would often be built on top of older ones, encasing the older architecture within. An enclosed structure would often be built on top. Additionally, many Maya Temples such as Temple I are not mathematically pyramidal - the base angles vary, as one side was built at a less severe slope to allow for a usable staircase. Such 'pyramids' are thought to emulate the shape of mountains and volcanoes, a common pattern found across ancient Mesoamerica.

Media Id: media_TIK_20071003_151724 Date Uploaded: 2007-10-03 15:17:24 Points: 474534