Theory: Relationship between layers of materiality in structure

Uxmal's formal definition is stated as "thrice built," constituting layers of information that can be excavated from the many important buildings still standing on the site. The Mayans were known to build new structures on top of older ones at regular intervals, creating an overlapping system of mass that in turn allowed for the invention of new spaces within these layers. The most noteworthy example of this practice is the Magician's Pyramid, in which there are four earlier structures that lay beneath the fifth highest construction. The layers of this step pyramid can be considered to be unique in that they take on an oval shape rather than the usual rectangular or square design. The Governor's palace, a masterpiece that is debated to rival the Magician's Pyramid due to its size and intricate stonework, is another important construction comprised of layers. The building consists of three separate structures connected by two large portal vaults. The building itself is an imposing edifice constituting three levels and a long mosaic facade. It is essentially a long, low building situated on a huge platform. Because the shape and figure/ground interaction of these buildings are quite different, their scale and constructed spaces can be recognized to serve different purposes. Furthermore, in a broader sense of the use of the term "layers," the Magician's Pyramid can be theorized as a more of a larger scale entity in contrast with the Governor's Palace, taking on an intermediate function in scaling specific site relationships. Stretching beyond site specific characteristics, the idea of layers can also be supported when speaking in the sense of general Mayan constructions. In relation to Uxmal's "thrice built" definition, the usage of the three hearthstones set in traditional Mayan homes and its relationship to the artifact of the tripod bowl, whose three feet are symbolic of this type of constructional practice, can be used to reinforce the overall definition of the site and its counterparts by serving as a smaller scale counterpart. In this way, the physicality of the above mentioned layers can be thought to occupy another kind of category, one that relates to cultural overlap.