A Maya Palace in Mexico; Structure IV at Becan - Campeche

Contribution to publishing costs D 3042 Several large, multi-storey palace-type buildings, one containing upwards of 90 rooms, were built during the Maya Classic period. Structure IV at Becan is an outstanding example of one of these monumental architectural forms. For the first time it has been possible to completely document a complex of this kind through the medium of precise drawings, using both traditional and modem geodetic recording methods. The following analysis of its form and construction also provides good indications of how it was planned, and the functions of its interior space. Structure IV has now been completely excavated and partially restored, following several archaeological projects conducted over a period of nearly 30 years. All exposed parts of this structure appear to date to the Maya Late Classic period. The smaller Preclassic structure, over 16 meter in height, within Structure IV`s core, was revealed for only a short time during the first excavation project, and after being carefully documented was again covered over. The analysis begins with a fairly complete description of the architecture of all levels through the medium of scaled architectural drawings. Additions of the collapsed missing architectural components are discussed and shown with broken (inductive additions) or dotted (hypothetical completion) lines in the drawings. One of the results of the documentation of Structure IV can be seen in the more than 150 scale drawings which accompany the text. In the second part of the analysis, the basic components of the building are systematically divided into architectural elements of different sizes. Using the architectural elements of each different size, the entire architectural schema can be described in more or less detail, depending on the size of the individual components. Generally, there are five levels of architectural elements and the elements of each particular level are always defined by the combining of the architectural elements at a more detailed level. The next larger level of architectural components is again produced by the combining of the smaller, preceding elements. The graphic documentation is followed by a discussion of Structure IV, together with an analysis of the function of the different architectural elements, following the system described above. The systematic recording and analysis of the various architectural elements has revealed some of the important relationships between form and construction, as well as relationships between form and function. The form of Structure IV as seen from the exterior shows that the facades were intended to appear symmetrical. In contrast, by comparing the facades with the ground plans and cross sections, it is clear that the architecture behind the facades is not symmetrical, due to various functional and constructional needs. Our data also made it possible to show the several different construction phases of Structure I. At the completion of the second phase, the structure seems to have consisted of two separate, smaller structures, positioned back to back. In a later phase, the two upper storeys were added simultaneously, and must have been carefully planned in advance since the room systems on both levels fit together so well three-dimensionally. It is possible that the final form was first represented by clay models, providing a basis for visualising a very complex and differentiated architectural form prior to its actual construction. Finally, it should be noted that the various primary axes-of-symmetry of the different parts of Structure IV cross each other at two particular points. While the author can offer no ready explanation for this geometry, it is hoped that other will search out the meaning of these two special points. In closing, it is hoped that the method used in the documentation of Structure IV and the descriptive and analytical procedures followed, will serve as a useful example to other investigators who are confronted with the problem of recording and analysing other large and complex Maya architectural forms.