The article discusses Maya art and artifacts. It describes Maya architecture which featured limestone structures covered in lime stucco that were adorned with carved stone and stucco friezes and roof combs. Maya buildings also had colorful murals and temples atop stepped pyramids. Tombs were often built into structures. The Maya also produced ceramics, flint and shell artifacts, and metal items for ceremonial use. All structures honored the gods and recorded important events. The Maya built vast cities across the jungle with impressive architectural achievements considering their lack of modern tools.
2. Unit 4
Archeological Sites
Read the following article about the history of the
ruins in El Salvador, then complete the sentences bellow using
words and phrases from the article
Joya de Cerén: This is one of El Salvador's
most popular and protected ancient sites
because of its superb level of preservation which
is said to be comparable only to that of Pompeii
and Herculaneum. An excellent choice to
"see"the history of El Salvador!
Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993, Joya de Cerén
offers a glimpse into the agricultural based village that once lived
here. Buried twice by volcanic eruptions, it is one of the most
important archaeological sites of the Americas
San Andrés: Is an impressive group of ceremonial
centers and pyramids that date back to the late
Classic period where the important Mayan
dignitaries would live. These archaeological ruins
were first discovered in the 19th century but
excavations did not start until the 1940's.
Findings on this ancient site prove that San Andrés had business
dealings with the Mayans in Copán (Honduras), Teotihuacán (Mexico)
as well as with other Mayan villages in Belize and Guatemala; making
it an important and influential Mayan center in the region.
The Mayan ruins of Joya de Cerén and San Andrés are 2 sites that are
not too far from each other, in La Libertad, so you can squeeze a trip
to both of them in one day after spending some time at one of
the beaches in La Libertad!
3. Tazumal: The Mayan ruins of Tazumal are
located in Chalchuapa, in Santa Ana. This is a
fascinating ancient site with many little secrets
and historical treasures to discover.
The findings on this site indicate that it was
occupied during the late Classic period and was built the same way as
other Toltec centers. Tazumal consists of a group of buildings that
formed the life line of a very important and sophisticated people. It
covers an area of about 10sq km, but it's not fully excavated.
Among the well preserved discoveries are tombs, pyramids, palaces,
water drainage systems and many other artifacts as well as a prized
life-size statue of their god Xipe Totec.
Exercise
1. Joya de Ceren is one of the most_____________ and
____________ancient sites in El Salvador.
2. Joya de Ceren offers a _______________into
the__________based village that once live there.
3. San Andres archeological ruins were first discovered in
the___________but excavations did not start until the
___________.
4. The Mayan ruins of Tazumal are located in________,
in____________.
5. Tazumal consists of a group of buildings that formed the
life line of a very ____________and_________people.
4. Exploring Grammar.
Complete the table using comparatives and superlatives
Adjective Comparative Superlative
big bigger
large largest
Many/much more
expensive More expensive
beautiful Most beautiful
long longer
few fewer
Read the following article about National
Anthropology Museum of El Salvador then discuss with
classmates.
The National Museum of Anthropology Dr. David J. Guzman
(MUNA) is located on Avenida Revolution, San Benito, San
Salvador, El Salvador. According to its principles, the institution
fosters closeness and Salvadorans reflection on their cultural
identity in the fields of archeology and anthropology. The means
to accomplish this end include exhibitions, research, publications
and educational programs.
The National Museum arose from an executive order on October
9, 1883 during the presidential term of Dr. Rafael Zaldivar. Its
first director was Dr. David J. Guzman, author of Prayer to the
Salvadoran flag, and objects included presentations on the
history, biology and geology. In its early years it was housed in
various locations, the first being the University of El Salvador,
5. and later in Spain Villa (1902) with samples scientific, agricultural
and industrial. After relocating to the House Model (1904-1911),
came to the close by "not producing good of the nation in any of
the results you set out to achieve." It reappeared in 1913 in the
same place by the Institute of Natural History and Botanical
Garden.
Later the area was located in the former Presidential Palace of El
Salvador (1927) in the San Jacinto. From the August 13, 1945
holds its current name in honor of Dr. Guzman. In 1962 he was
transferred to Avenida Revolution. Since 1974 acquired an
anthropological and historical. These facilities were severely
damaged in the earthquake of 1986, so it was demolished in
1993. The current building was opened in 1999 and opened in
2001.
Answer the following question.
1- Where was the first place was The National Museum of
Anthropology Dr. David J. Guzman?
2- In what year was inaugurated the museum?
3- Who was the first director of the museum?
4- How many rooms have the museum?
5- In what year the current building was inaugurated?
6. Read the following article of maya art and artifacts
and after that try to find out new vocabulary and share with
the rest of the class.
The art of the Maya has been called the richest of the New World because of
the great complexity of patterns and variety of media expressions. Limestone
structures, faced with lime stucco, were the hallmark of ancient Maya
architecture. Maya buildings were adorned with carved friezes and roof combs
in stone and stucco. With large quantities of limestone and flint available,
plaster and cement were easily produced. This allowed the Mayans to build
impressive temples, with stepped pyramids. On the summits were thatched-
roof temples.
Evidence show that the early Maya architects were using the corbel vault
principle, which is arch like structures with sides that extend inward until they
meet at the top.
Another matchless feature of the Mayans was the use of colorful murals. It is
also noted that most of the Maya cities were built by being divided into
quaters by two avenues which cross-cut each other at right angles. Roofs were
flat and made with cedar beams overlaid with mortar. The walls were
plastered and painted with great gods and other mythological features.
7. Tombs were often encased within or beneath Mayan structures. Frequently
new temples were built over existing structures.
The Mayans also expressed themselves artistically. Their ceramics were made
in a large variety of forms and decorated with complex scenes.
The Mayans also designed works of art from flint, bone and shell, along with
making decorated cotton textiles. Even metal was used for ceremonial
purposes. Items made with metal include necklaces, bracelets and headresses.
It is evident that all of the structures built by the ancient Mayans were built in
honor of the gods. Compounds were built with large open areas, from which
all the citizens could view the religious ceremonies taking place on the
platforms elevated above the city. On the other hand, the construction of the
Castillo, seems to relate to the ancient Maya's obsession with the calendar. For
example, each stairway in the temple has 91 steps, making a total of 364 steps
in the four staircases, which, counting the platform at the top of the pyramid,
equals the total number of days in the solar year. Even more so, each side of
the pyramid has nine stepped terraces divided by a stairway, for a total of
eighteen sections on each side, consequently, the number of months in the
Mayan calendar.
A honeycombed roofcomb towered above many structures, providing a base
for painted plaster that was the Maya equivalent of the billboard. In addition
to temples, most Maya sites had multi-roomed structures that probably served
as royal palaces as well as centers for government affairs.
Historically significant events, such as accessions, the capture or sacrifice of
royal victims and the completion of the twenty year katun cycle, were
recorded on stone stelae and tablets.
Without metal tools, beasts of burden, or even the wheel the Mayans were
able to construct vast cities across a huge jungle landscape with an amazing
degree of architectural perfection and variety.
They were noted as well for elaborate and highly decorated ceremonial
architecture, including temple-pyramids, palaces and observatories, all built
without metal tools.
