Mayan Vs Mashkan-Shapr

Assignment #4 Mesoamerica was inhabited by the ancient civilizations of the Olmec, Maya, Oaxacans and the city of Teotihuacan. “Mesoamerica reaches from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea and stretches from central Mexico west to Belize, south through Guatemala, and El Salvador and into parts of Honduras and Nicaragua”(Smiley, 1). In this essay we would be describing Copan and comparing it to Mashkan-Shapir. Also, the similarities and differences between the architecture and layout of Copan and Mashkan-Shapir and in what ways, and to what degree does the architecture and layout reflect the culture’s social and political organization. Copan is a famous Mayan City with abundant art and hieroglyphs. Located

Copan was discovered in 1570 by Diego Garcia but in 426 AD, as the Roman empire was crumbling halfway around the world, Yax Kuk Mo, also known as the Sun-eyed Green Quelzal Macaw, arrived in a Maya city called Xukpi, now called Copan. “Yax Kuk Mo founded a dynasty that ruled in for nearly four centuries. He derived his power and authority from the great city of Teotihuacan, and throughout the 400 year dynasty, Copan enjoyed close ties to Teotihuacan”(Smiley, 1). Nearly 20,000 people lived in the immediate region around the central precinct. In 650 AD, Copan wanted to control the river trade, so it established a colony called Quirigua about 65 kilometers away. After 85 years, the Quirigua lord sended a small armed force to captured the Copan ruler. As a result, Quirigua entered an economic boon, and Copan entered in a downward spiral. Copan never revived. While Quirigua grew and was continuing to profit from the river trade, Copan was abandoned. Mashkan-shapir in the other hand, was at it highest power during the 2,000 B.C.E. It was the second capital of the Mesopotamian kingdom centered at Larsa. It was

While Mashkan-shapir was laid out in five districts, separated by canals. “Like all Mesopotamian cities of its era, it was surrounded by a mud-brick wall interrupted by a number of gates”(Stone & Zimanski, 4). Unlike Mashkan-shapir, Copan was not surrounded by a wall or gates. However, both cities had a great layout in their cities. The architecture and layout of Copan and Maskan-sharip reflected the culture’s social and political organization in many ways. According to Stone & Zimanski, the figure shown on the text provided us a look where various activities took place. For example, the political, religious, economic and social functions within the physical structure defined by streets, canals and internal walls. Mashkan-shapir had a primary temple on their city where they would worship their god but the temple was seen as a symbol of power. Inside the temple, it was decorated with statues of humans, lions, dogs, and horses. Copan had five main plazas that were well layout throughout the city. Like Maskan-sharip, Copan architecture and layout also reflected their culture’s, social, and political organization. For example, what was so unique of Copan was their carving. Even Though, today much of the carving has been destroyed, enough fine detail remains on the monuments to