The first examples of Maya monumental (masonry) architecture date from the Preclassic period (500 B.C.) in the Petén region of Guatemala. The phenomenon then appeared consecutively in other regions. It is presumed that this architectural evolution is the result of a social complexification involving the rise of an elite. This phenomenon was the advent of the political-religious system of the Classic period (A.D. 250-900).

Maya architecture evolved until it reached a peak of complexity and diversity in the Late Classic period (A.D. 600-900) when we can clearly see regional styles. This period witnessed an unprecedented burst of construction activity that ended abruptly with the mysterious decline when the cities were abandoned. Followed another period of urban expansion in the Northern Lowlands called Postclassic where a strong cultural influence from Central Mexico (Toltec) can be seen in the art and architecture. This period ends with the Spanish Conquest in A.D. 1535. (see chronology)

THE COMMUNAL COURT

The court, widespread in Mesoamerica and derived from the domestic patio, is a space usually  rectangular in shape, surrounded by buildings and used for communal activities. At a large scale, it takes the form of a public place or "plaza" surrounded by temples where public festivities and ceremonies took place (1). At a small scale, it takes the form of a patio enclosed by masonry residences and was used for the daily family activities of the elite (2). 

A grouping of several courts formed a raised architectural complex called "acropolis" by analogy with the Greek architecture of Antiquity. Usually, the courts are organized in a linear fashion following the cardinal directions, are divided into different levels to distinguish their importance and are connected by stairways.

THE MONUMENTAL PLATFORM

The monumental platform has for purpose to elevate. it is simply an increase of the dimensions and quality of the domestic version composed of a dirt fill contained by stone blocks.

The increase of the height of a platform only required a vertical multiplication with a horizontal reduction of the initial level, thus its pyramidal shape. But construction was not simple because the ancient Maya varied the composition of the stones with a complex  interplay of insets to break the monotony of straight lines (fig. 1). The dimensions and height of the platform depend on what type of building it supports. While vast residences stand on a low platform, tiny temples are projected towards the sky on huge pyramids.

Fig. 1: Platform, Tikal.

MASS AND SPACE

Each room of the monumental building reproduces the one of the hut in its components, proportions and often its dimensions (fig. 2). The resulting space is dark and small but, although it is uncomfortable for the modern visitor, it seems to have pleased the ancient Maya who kept the same model for nearly a millenia.

The negociation of mass and space varies according to regions and involves different principles. In the central region, space is minimal in comparison with the overwhelming mass that seems to have been favored while, in the western region, space is maximized at the expense of a perforated mass reduced to a core.

Fig. 2: Section of a room from a Maya building. (after Loten & Pendergast 1984)

In a logic foreign to the western architect, space was not rendered monumental by building larger rooms but by multiplying the number of rooms that are then, according to a universal priciple among the ancient Maya, aligned side by side and/or one behind the other and sometimes superimposed to create storeys. Some buildings have up to five storeys  superimposed in a retreating fashion to form a semi-pyramidal building. This technique was necessary to avoid crushing the arches. The form of the buildings was modified by changing the organization of the rooms whose variability defines both functional and cultural types.

Internal space is generally furnished with masonry benches. They are built along the walls like small platforms and had various purposes such as storage space, beds, seats and thrones. It is likely that there were also mats, hammocks, curtains and other commodities that did not survive time.