Theatrical performances, in Inomata's sense, are those that have observers and participants, demand emotional responses from the observers, and are made up of the dynamic use of material images. Inomata ties theatricality in the Maya to an explicit concept of the political body of a particular community; and thus a performance in a given community expresses that community's political structure and storyline.
The erection of public space in Mesoamerica occurred at critical junctures in those societies--at the point where small villages become large communities. The construction of central plazas then is as important as those of large temples, as they are shared spaces to reinforce community ties.
This plaza is that of Copán, which was one of the largest classic period centers between about 450 and 820 AD. Located in Honduras, Copán is best known for its rich sculptural elements, including several fine stela located around the margins of the Great Plaza. The Great Plaza was built about the end of the 5th century, and during its history, the plaza was deliberately raised in elevation, covering earlier platforms. The rulers of Copán apparently enlarged the plaza as the population grew; eventually Copán's population reached about 22,000, a large percentage of whom could be accommodated in this plaza.
In the middle of this photograph can be seen several large steles, carved stone images of Copán's rulers erected by the 13th ruler Waxaklahun Ubah K'awil, known more prosaically as 18 Rabbit.
More information and sources:
The erection of public space in Mesoamerica occurred at critical junctures in those societies--at the point where small villages become large communities. The construction of central plazas then is as important as those of large temples, as they are shared spaces to reinforce community ties.
This plaza is that of Copán, which was one of the largest classic period centers between about 450 and 820 AD. Located in Honduras, Copán is best known for its rich sculptural elements, including several fine stela located around the margins of the Great Plaza. The Great Plaza was built about the end of the 5th century, and during its history, the plaza was deliberately raised in elevation, covering earlier platforms. The rulers of Copán apparently enlarged the plaza as the population grew; eventually Copán's population reached about 22,000, a large percentage of whom could be accommodated in this plaza.
In the middle of this photograph can be seen several large steles, carved stone images of Copán's rulers erected by the 13th ruler Waxaklahun Ubah K'awil, known more prosaically as 18 Rabbit.
More information and sources:
- The Role of the Plaza in Maya Festivals, more on the project by Takeshi Inomata
- Copán, a bit more about the site
- Takeshi Inomata. 2006. Plazas, perfomers and spectators: Political theaters of the Classic Maya. Current Anthropology 47(5):805-842
- David L. Webster. 2001. Copán (Honduras). pp. 169-176 in Archaeology of Ancient Mexico and Central America, S.T. Evans and D.L. Webster, eds. Garland Publishing, Inc., New York.
