Mayan+Engineering

toc __ **MAYAN ENGINEERING ** __  

=Introduction =

Bark houses, dirt paths and hand tools. Engineering is not a topic commonly associated with the term Native American. Greek and Roman mathematics and technology has been credited for the ancient innovations which have led to our industrial advancements. However, across the Atlantic in Mesoamerica, the Mayan civilization was working ahead of those technologies. The Maya used their engineering skills to create structures and elaborate cities.

Mathematics
Mayan engineering starts with their knowledge of mathematics and the Maya number line. One aspect of the number system was the number zero. This was an idea unknown to Europe until much later. Along with having the number zero, the number system was based on multiples of 20 which created a higher range along the number line. This characteristic can be seen in a more advanced calendar system that the Mayans used. With this advancement in mathematics, the Maya had a firm grasp of the rectangle and how to calculate the sides and diagonal measurements of these rectangles. Many of the temples and structures use the base of a rectangle in their design. Measurements were also made using the golden means proportion which is a mathematics skill credited to the Greeks; however calculations of Mayan structures indicate it was also known to the Native Americans.

Hydrology
Streams and running water was a problem and a benefit to the Mayan way of life. Water was a resource that wasn’t far away. There were some issues with the amount of water. When designing the city layout, flooding issues needed to be accounted for.Research of the native lands, tunnels and canals indicate the Mayans redirected streams and reservoirs to protect what they built. Further research has indicated channels which used hydraulic pressure which had the capability of providing running water to the city. Some engineers say this discovery was made by mistake, but some water flow conditions and designs might say different. Channels would become much smaller in diameter, which takes advantages of hydraulic principles in engineering. Most researchers say this excess pressure could have facilitated fountains in and around major structures.

Structural Engineering
Many Native American stereotypes illustrate Indians lived in tee-pees or stick huts. The Mayans used their knowledge of engineering and their surroundings to create landmarks which can still be seen to this day. Some structures show the Maya society had built bigger and larger than any other civilization of that time. This included clues of a suspension bridge which spanned 600 feet. James O’Kon, structural engineer and forensic scientist, used engineering to find the remains of what seems to be a bridge pier. The suspension bridge was created using stone and hemp-rope to connect major sections of their civilization. This 600 foot would be the world’s longest suspension bridge until Europeans beat this mark almost 700 years later. Mayan engineers also needed a way to create supports to build up their towering temples. Arches solved this problem by allowing longer spans and a larger interior space. The most common arch seen in Mayan technology is the Corbel Arch. The Corbel arch can be created by stacking stones of larger sizes on bottom and smaller on top to distribute the load and create walkways in their temples. Mayan structures are still around to this day for tourism and have lifespans which further exceed most modern day engineering creations.

Temple of Inscriptions
In order to house his remains; Mayan ruler Hanab Pacal created a temple which towered over the city and held a hidden tunnel deep underground to his burial site. The temple currently stands at 75 feet high but engineers believe with its original top, it may have beenup to 115 feet tall. The name Temple of Inscriptions comes from the temple’s engravings seen along the interior walls. Inscriptions told the story of Pacal’s rule and what is to come for the future. One interesting aspect is a long tube which spans from the top of the temple floor to the crypt where Pacal was laid to rest. This was believed to be a spiritual opening to their former ruler’s spirit.

Cultural Power
Building was an important part to the culture of Mayan civilization. Leaders expanded their empire by their creations and demands for growth. Pacal, a young ruler of the city of Maya, created his power and legacy by creating some of the largest buildings and anelaborate tomb design to facilitate his body. His son, Kan Bahlam, made an effort to make his own legacy after his father’s passing. Like his father, Kan created structures and temples which honored his rule. The pyramid El Castillo also played a major role to Mayan culture. At the equinox, the position of the sun would create a ray of light which would span down the stairway to the head of a snake. With this indication, the Maya would be able to document the seasons throughout the year. Mayans also had a fascination with the stars and the world above them. El Caracol would facilitate research and observations with its round top that faces certain landmarks in astronomy. The stairwell for instance was in direct alignment with the planet Venus. Not only were the Mayans capable of creating these large structures, but they also used the structures to show power and aspects of their culture.

Artistic Engineering
<span style="color: #4b2b18; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Modern engineering has become very basic and uniform throughout. This is due to the demand and extreme abundance of our infrastructure. Very little do we observer a bridge which sparks interest as travel passes over it. Mayan engineering utilized their own culture and knowledge of a rectangle to take structures into works of art. Temples and major structures which the Maya created, used the art of symmetry to create complex floor plans within the rectangular shapes. When looking overhead at the temples, the use of rectangles can be seen in a stacked pattern. Engravings on interior walls look towards the Mayan future and show elaborate depictions of their way of life.

<span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 90%; line-height: normal;">Summary
<span style="color: #4b2b18; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal;">The Maya have created a world which rivals some of our modern day engineering. Isolated in Mesoamerica, the Mayans had technology and skills without the influence of other Europeans. With skills in mathematics, hydrology, and structural engineering, the Mayan civilization lived far above our stereotypes of Native Americans.

=<span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">References =

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">1. Abrams, Elliot M. "Stuctures as Sites: The Construction Process and Maya Architecture." //Function and Meaning in Classic Maya Architecture//. Washington D.C.: Dumbarton Oaks, 1998. 123-40. Print. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">Abrams looks deeper into how the Mayans constructed their buildings by researching what is under the structures. This has shown how the Mayans excavated and built structures over existing sites.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">2. "Acoustic Engineering of the Maya | Ancient Civilizations." //Revealing: Ancient Civilizations, Mars, Moon, Nibiru, Aliens, Ufos, Pyramids, Conspiracies, Paranormal ...// Web. 03 Apr. 2011. <http://www.hidden-truth.org/ancient-civilizations/acoustic-engineering-of-the-maya.htm>. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">Research and first hand accounts of Mayan architecture has shown the layout of the city had some acoustic uses. Voices and sounds made on platforms echo for long periods of time. In this article argues this was not an accident made but engineering advancements made by the natives.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">3. "Ancient Observatories: Chichén Itzá." //Exploratorium: the Museum of Science, Art and Human Perception//. Web. 03 Apr. 2011. <http://www.exploratorium.edu/ancientobs/chichen/HTML/caracol.html>. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">El Caracol was a structure which served some religious purpose to Mayan society. Mayan culture was well known for their knowledge and research on the stars. This building contains an observatory at the top which is said to be aligned with the orbit of Venus.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">4. "Ancient Observatories: Chichén Itzá." //Exploratorium: the Museum of Science, Art and Human Perception//. Web. 03 Apr. 2011. <http://www.exploratorium.edu/ancientobs/chichen/HTML/castillo.html>. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">Mayan structures also served for other purposes in their culture such as El Castillo. For a period of time this structure indicates the equinox and gave the Mayans an understanding of the time of year. The indication is a ray of light which lights up a snake along the staircase of El Castillo.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">5. Barr, Vilma. "A Mayan Engineering Legacy - Coba. | Latin America Mexico from AllBusiness.com." //Small Business Advice and Resources from AllBusiness.com//. 1 Feb. 1990. Web. 03 Apr. 2011. <http://www.allbusiness.com/professional-scientific/scientific-research-development/116381-1.html>. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">The ancient Mayan civilization covered a large area of land in meso-America. With their advancements in engineering, Barr explains they made these discoveries without the help or influence of other cultures like in Eurpoe at that time. The size of the Mayan landscape was created not only without influence but also ancient tools.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">6. Barrios, Carlos. "Cosmic and Technical Knowledge." //The Book of Destiny: Unlocking the Secrets of The Ancient Mayans and the Prophecy of 2012//. Print. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">In order to create the built infrastructure of the Mayan civilization, the Natives needed a vast knowledge of engineering. This chapter explains what types of challenges they needed to take and how it was necessary in their culture.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">7. Choi, Charles Q. "Ancient Mayans Likely Had Fountains and Toilets | LiveScience." //Current News on Space, Animals, Technology, Health, Environment, Culture and History | LiveScience//. 23 Dec. 2009. Web. 03 Apr. 2011. <http://www.livescience.com/5959-ancient-mayans-fountains-toilets.html?>. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">It is said Mayan engineering is a representation of their leaders' power. This article shows how the Mayans used hydrology as a symbol of their advancements and knowledge of science. It may have been used as running water in society but more likely used to power fountains around the city.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">8. "Corbel Arch (corbelled Vault) of Mayan Palaces, Temples, Ballcourts in PreColumbian Mesoamerica, Especially Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras." //Mayan Archaeology including Resources for Students and Scholars, plus Help for Visitors to Guatemala, Belize, Mexico, and Honduras//. 7 July 2009. Web. 03 Apr. 2011. <http://www.maya-archaeology.org/pre-Columbian_Mayan_temples_palaces_pyramids_prehispanic_archaeological_sites_Mayan_archaeology_ruins_El_Peten_Guatemala_Mexico_Belize_Honduras/corbel_arch_corbelled_vault_temple_palace_architecture_Chichen_Itza_Uxmal_Yucatan_Mexico.php>. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">Mayans also had an understanding of how to create larger open spaces using a Corbel arch. This arch is not unique to just the Mayan engineering but is found in a majority of their structures. The arch made it possible to create the large temples we see in Mayan remains.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">9. Dunn, John. "News: Mesoamerican Archaeology: Maya Suspension Bridge." //LostWorlds.org//. 30 Apr. 2008. Web. 03 Apr. 2011. <http://www.lostworlds.org/blog/2008/04/maya-suspension-bridge.html>. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">Engineering researchers today have found evidence of a suspension bridge made of msonry and hemp. This bridge would be the longest suspension bridge ever recorded until 700 years later. This is shows Mayan engineering was far ahead of their time.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">10. History Channel. "Engineering an Empire - The Maya 1/5." //SchoolTube//. Web. 03 Apr. 2011. <http://www.schooltube.com/video/866cb6a56d4a239347fc/Engineering-an-Empire-The-Maya-15>. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">The History Channel introduced a televised study of Mayan engineering. It explains how the different dynasties which controlled this empire shaped their world. Topics covered include architecture to hydrology.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">11. "LiDAR Survey Uncovers Ancient Maya City of Caracol | Heritage Key." //Explore the History of the Ancient World | Heritage Key//. 11 May 2010. Web. 03 Apr. 2011. <http://heritage-key.com/blogs/ann/lidar-survey-uncovers-ancient-maya-city-caracol>. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">Researchers are now using modern technology like LiDAR to get a better understanding of the Mayan landscape. The research has opened up knowledge of how they used their resources and created their cities.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">12. "Maya and Aztec » Maya » Mayan Architecture." //Maya and Aztec//. Web. 03 Apr. 2011. <http://www.maya-aztec.com/2010/07/26/mayan-architecture/>. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">This site gives a general informative view of what Mayan architecture was like. The author goes into detail about how lime was used and most likely made in construction.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">13. "Maya Architecture." //Authentic Maya//. 28 Jan. 2011. Web. 03 Apr. 2011. <http://www.authenticmaya.com/arquitectura_maya.htm>. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">This site gives an understanding of all types of engineering used in their cities. It also shows a representation on how a simple residential unit was built using the same types of characteristics in a temple.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">14. "Mayan Architecture: the False Arch." //Mundo Maya Online//. Web. 03 Apr. 2011. <http://www.mayadiscovery.com/ing/archaeology/architecture/components.htm>. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">In order to create large open areas in Mayan structures, different types of false-arches were used. These arches were also used for aesthetic features seen in entrances. Arches were an important component in Mayan engineering.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">15. "Mayan Art and Architecture - Crystalinks." //Crystalinks Home Page//. Web. 03 Apr. 2011. <http://www.crystalinks.com/mayanarch.html>. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">Mayan architecture also took careful consideration into their culture and art when building structures. Research of carvings and decorations of Mayan architecture can give a better understanding of their beliefs and customs.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">16. "Mayan Engineering: Plumbing, First Pressurized Water Feature Found in Palenque, Mexico | Science Codex." //Science Codex | Science News, Science Articles, All Day, Every Day//. 4 May 2010. Web. 03 Apr. 2011. <http://www.sciencecodex.com/mayan_engineering_plumbing_first_pressurized_water_feature_found_in_palenque_mexico>. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">Researchers at Penn State went further into the ideas of Mayan hydrology to give water to their cities. Mayans used the concept of pipe flow and pressure to create running water over long spans. Different researchers in the field of engineering comment on these discoveries.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 22.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">17. "Mayan Plumbers or Hydraulic Engineers at Palenque? | Heritage Key." //Explore the History of the Ancient World | Heritage Key//. 6 May 2010. Web. 03 Apr. 2011. <http://heritage-key.com/blogs/ann/mayan-plumbers-or-hydraulic-engineers-palenque>. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">The Amazon where the Mayans lived was surrounded by streams and large amounts of water. In order to control flooding and water diversion the Mayans had buried aqueducts which moved water to areas of the city for use or in other areas to prevent Amazon floods.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">18. "Sacred Geometry of Art and Architecture." //Maya Exploration Center//. Web. 03 Apr. 2011. <http://www.mayaexploration.com/themes_geometry.php>. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">Engineering practiced by the Mayans was predominantly based on the concept of a rectangle. They used proportions to determine the diagonals of a rectangle. The Golden Mean proportion was also a common practice which used the proportion of a height and measurement on a human body.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">19. Sexton, Timothy. "Romans and Mayans, Math and Engineering: Which Empire Was Really the Man?" //Associated Content from Yahoo! - Associatedcontent.com//. 18 Sept. 2006. Web. 03 Apr. 2011. <http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/60070/romans_and_mayans_math_and_engineering.html?cat=37>. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">Sexton informs his audience of the mathematics the Mayans were capable of over the Romans. By having a larger number line and the existance of the number 0, the Mayans were capable of more advanced engineering practices. These ideas debunk false stereotypes of noneducated Natives in America.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">20. "What Is Mayan Architecture?" //Civil Engineer | Civil Engineering | Construction: Architectural, Structure,Building, Building Code, Building Design, Building Industry,Green Building, Home Improvement, Building Material, Modern Industry, Construction Equipment, Construction Standards, Construction Surveying, Environmental Engineering, Geotechnical, Foundation, Soil Mechanics, Project Management, Project Managers, Project Scheduling, Risk Management, Bridge, Transportation, Pavement Engineering, Railway,Road, Highway, Traffic//. 20 Oct. 2010. Web. 03 Apr. 2011. <http://www.civilengineergroup.com/mayan-architecture.html>. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">This article explains the different types of materials and construction methods used in Mayan structures. There was similarities in all types of buildings and also differences which helped give a better understanding of their use.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">21. "Yucatan Roadways That Evolved over the Centuries." //Yucatan's Magic - Bicycle Yucatan Adventures by Bike And/or Bus//. Web. 03 Apr. 2011. <http://www.bicycleyucatan.com/yucatanroads.html>. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">The Mayan creation of roadways and links to their cities have now turned into important routes for transportation used by later civilizations. This article describes when the Spanish settlers came with wheeled carts they destroyed the smooth surfaces that the Mayans originally created. Mayan civil engineering paved the road for future generations to thrive.