Culture of Memory and Maya Architecture: Architectural Documentation and Interpretation of Structure 1 of Chunchimai 3

Abstract

The building of Chunchimai 3 is a good example of a culture of memory within the Maya culture. It shows building decorations with typical elements of the Classic Maya period in the Puuc region. In addition, there are rectangular scroll elements at the back and the ‘sun stone’ within the building. The stone carries a relief that consists of two presumably different production phases. Both the sun stone and the scroll elements seem to originate from earlier buildings and apparently served as a reminiscence of them and the people connected to them. In this case, as in other ones, the positioning of decorative architectural elements clearly shows they were reused.