Talud-tablero

Talud-tablero is an architectural style. It consists of a platform structure, or the tablero, on top of an inward-sloping surface or panel, the talud. It may also be referred to as the slope-and-panel style.

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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 and presumably included trade and cultural contacts.


Notes

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

See also

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 (originally published as: Historic Architecture Sourcebook (New York: McGraw-Hill ©1977), reprint ed.). 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 and New York: Thames & Hudson. ISBN 0-500-05103-8. OCLC 47358325. 
Weaver, Muriel Porter (1993). The Aztecs, Maya, and Their Predecessors: Archaeology of Mesoamerica (3rd edition ed.). San Diego, CA: Academic Press. ISBN 0-127-39065-0. OCLC 25832740. 

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