An E-Group is an arrangement of buildings found on upwards of 70 ancient Maya cities located primarily in the lowland Maya region of Mexico, Guatemala and Belize. Attributed to the observation of the summer and winter solstices since the 1920s, E-Groups probably had several uses, including ties to the celebrations associated with ritual calendars and ball games.
Plan of Mundo Perdido (Lost World) E-Group at Tikal.
The E-Group pattern includes a linear row of three platform mounds opposite a pyramidal temple with a platform on top of it (rather than a group of walled rooms). E-Groups are often located near ball courts and they often have stelae (stone markers) inscribed with dates for the beginnings of the 20-year cycle called k'atuns: all of which makes for an interesting subject of discussion.
As some of you might know, I have a lot of nerve, so I'm posting this hoping some Mayanist will shoot me down, but this Maya glyph representing the midwinter month of Yaxkin looks a tad bit like an E-Group to me. Any shooters today?
Maya glyph for the midwinter month of Yaxkin, taken from the Dresden Codex and redrawn by Japf
- E-Groups, more on what scholars think
- Astronomical Observatories
- Guide to the Maya Civilization
Comments
Makes sense to me but I am not a Mayanist.
It could be a symbol representing a typical Maya pyramid, i.e. the pyramid of Kukulkan. See “Las 7 profetias Mayas” on Youtube, 4th clip (la piramide de Kukulcan”) where such a drawing has been used.
The pyramid is shown from above, with the four flights of stairs shown at each side. It’s simplified of course, it doesn’t show the nine levels. What the smaller symbol on top of it means I don’t know. A piano ?
Thanks–I thought I was pretty much going out on a limb. but piano playing!