Talud-tablero

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Talud-tablero is an architectural style. It consists of a platform structure, or the tablero, on top of a sloped talud.

The talud-tablero style used in many Mesoamerican pyramids and a prominent stylistic feature of Teotihuacano architecture

1 Cultural significance
2 Notes
3 References
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] Cultural significance

Talud-tablero is often employed in pyramid construction, found in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. It is found in many cities and cultures but is strongly associated with the Teotihuacan culture of central Mexico, where it is a dominant architectural style.

The earliest examples of talud-tablero constructions date not from the Teotihuacan period, however, but are found in earlier constructions in the Tlaxcala-Puebla region.^[1]

Many different variants on the talud-tablero style arose throughout Mesoamerica, developing and manifesting itself differently among the various cultures. In some cases, such as the Maya city of Tikal, the introduction of talud-tablero architecture during the Early Classic corresponds with direct contact with Teotihuacan and possible domination or conquest^[2]. However, the form of contact at other cities is less well documented.

An overview of differing Talud-tablero styles used by different Mesoamerican cultures^[3]

Example of Talud Tablero Architecture in Tikal

[edit] Notes

^ Braswell (2003, p.11)
^ Martin and Grube (2000, pp.29–31)
^ Illustration adapted from Weaver (1993, p.251)

[edit] References

Braswell, Geoffrey E. (2003). "Introduction: Reinterpreting Early Classic Interaction", in Geoffrey E. Braswell (Ed.): The Maya and Teotihuacan: Reinterpreting Early Classic Interaction. Austin: University of Texas Press, pp.1–44. ISBN 0-292-70587-5. OCLC 49936017.

Harris, Cyril M. (ed.) (1983). Illustrated Dictionary of Historic Architecture, Reprint edition; originally published as: Historic Architecture Sourcebook (New York: McGraw-Hill ©1977)., New York: Dover Publications. ISBN 0-486-24444-X. OCLC 8806282.

Martin, Simon; and Nikolai Grube (2000). Chronicle of the Maya Kings and Queens: Deciphering the Dynasties of the Ancient Maya. London; New York: Thames and Hudson. ISBN 0-500-05103-8. OCLC 47358325.

Weaver, Muriel Porter (1993). The Aztecs, Maya, and Their Predecessors: Archaeology of Mesoamerica, 3rd edition, San Diego, CA: Academic Press. ISBN 0-127-39065-0. OCLC 25832740.