USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Temple-pyramids were the most striking feature of a Classic Maya city. They were built from hand-cut limestone blocks and towered over all surrounding structures.

Detailed explanation-2: -The builders of these spectacular structures used various materials, such as stone blocks held together with lime mortar. Some pyramids were covered with plaster and painted. The Maya positioned these pyramids to note essential points in the calendar, such as the solstice and equinox.

Detailed explanation-3: -Though limestone was the most important material, they still collected sandstone from Quiriguá and volcanic tuff from Copan. The Maya people had taken advantage of mortar on most structural projects. The Mayas used a very difficult process of limestone under large amounts of heat to create their mortar.

Detailed explanation-4: -What Materials did the Maya use? The Maya were great artists and used a variety of materials including limestone and other stone, clay, wood, stucco (fine plaster), shell, bone and jade. In the absence of metal tools, the Maya used chert (flint) and obsidian to make tools and weapons.

Detailed explanation-5: -The City Center The Maya built great temples, palaces, and pyramids in their city centers. These were often mighty stone structures, over which wooden buildings and thatched roofs were often built.