[Aztlan] Identification and construction details of Mixtec temples

[Carlos Rincón Mautner]

Hi to all:

I know of only one instance in which someone attempted to excavate a temple 
depicted in the Mixtec codices. This was "el templo del cielo" or "temple of 
heaven at Tilantongo. Bruce Byland and John Pohl many years ago conducted 
the excavations and I recall John and Bruce both saying that what they had 
found was not what they had expected to find.... i.e., a grand construction. 
It was rather disappointing and not conclusive. There should be an 
excavation report, but you might contact them directly.

In my view, there are some real problems in identification both in the 
codices and on the ground: distinguishing between temples and lordly houses. 
The cross-section of structures depicted in the codices like Zouche 
Nuttall.... a platform with a frieze, a roof supported by a column and the 
occasional staircase are representational conventions. Some of these 
elements may be present archaeologically, but at least three walls must be 
present to hold a roof up.  With its colonial additions the "Casa de la 
cacica" and the surrounding buildings in Teposcolula may be insightful, 
although reconstruction of these structures is in my view "extreme" and some 
of it imaginative and fantastic. I have found standing walls of one of two 
palaces in the northern Mixteca and I am working on a map of the larger of 
these structures.

Best,

Carlos


>From: David Hixson <chunchucmil at yahoo.com>
>To: aztlan at lists.famsi.org
>Subject: Re: [Aztlan] Identification and construction details of Mixtec 
>temples
>Date: Mon, 9 Oct 2006 13:06:08 -0700 (PDT)
>
>I would like to echo some of Greg's questions
>regarding Mesoamerican architectural forms...
>
>Have there been any good studies of how architectural
>models in the codices (Mixtec, Maya, Aztec or
>otherwise) relate to actual excavated structures?
>
>[P.S. I know there HAVE been some tidbits of this, as
>I've seen such brilliant papers as those by Tony Aveni
>on celestial alignments represented in the codices and
>how they have been measured in recent times by
>archaeologists (as recent as last Friday) -- so please
>post any references you might have, architectural,
>archaeological, art historical, archaeoastronomical,
>or otherwise]
>
>-Dave
>
>--- Greg Sandor <gregory_sandor at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > I am constructing digital models of a number of
> > Mixtec temples from paintings in the Codex
> > Fejéváry-Mayer.  Preliminary results of my effort
> > along with the reference images are at
> > http://gregsandor.tripod.com/MxArch.htm
> >
> > I based the models on the drawings with my best
> > guess as to the configuration of elements stylized
> > in the paintings.  Since bringing them to this level
> > of completion I have seen photos of Monte Alban and
> > Mitla that show more massive structures than I have
> > modeled.  I am continuing to rebuild the models as I
> > learn more about the architectural forms.
> >
> > Can you identify any of these structures?  What
> > elements have I gotten right?  What elements should
> > be altered?
> > Where can I find archaeological information on any
> > of these?  Are there site drawings available for any
> > actual ones?
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > Greg
> >
> > (614) 517-7204
> > greg at gregsandor.com
> > http://www.gregsandor.com
> > _______________________________________________
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> > Aztlan at lists.famsi.org
> > http://www.famsi.org/mailman/listinfo/aztlan
> >
>
>
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