How did the Maya building evolve beyond the Olmec?
The Maya did not build homes for the elite in their cities.
The Maya built larger cities and stepped pyramids.
The Maya created colossal heads for their gods.
The Maya used sandstone, not limestone.
The Maya building style and techniques evolved beyond the Olmec in several ways:
1. Architectural Complexity: The Maya built larger and more complex cities compared to the Olmec. They developed advanced urban planning techniques and constructed monumental architecture, including expansive palace complexes, temples, ballcourts, observatories, and stepped pyramids. The Olmec, on the other hand, had smaller-scale settlements and simpler architectural structures.
2. Stepped Pyramids: The Maya are famous for their stepped pyramids, also known as pyramids with temple-pyramids on top. These structures were used for religious and ceremonial purposes and served as important symbols of Maya architecture and culture. The Olmec, while having a few mounds and earthen platforms, did not build elaborate stepped pyramids like the Maya.
3. Iconography and Colossal Heads: While both the Olmec and the Maya created monumental sculptures, the Maya focused more on intricate stone carvings and stelae to depict historical events, gods, rulers, and other important figures. The Olmec, on the other hand, are well-known for their colossal heads, massive stone sculptures depicting individuals with distinctive Olmec features. The Maya did not produce similar colossal heads.
4. Construction Materials: The Olmec primarily used basalt and other volcanic stones in their architectural constructions. In contrast, the Maya made extensive use of limestone, which was more abundant in their region. The use of limestone allowed them to create intricately carved facades and stucco decorations on their buildings, showcasing their architectural sophistication.
Overall, the Maya built more elaborate, grandiose, and culturally significant architectural complexes compared to the Olmec, showcasing their evolution and advancement in architectural techniques and styles.
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I apologize for the confusion. The chosen answer is:
2. The Maya built larger cities and stepped pyramids.
The Maya surpassed the Olmec in terms of architectural complexity by constructing larger cities and building grand structures such as stepped pyramids. This evolution in their building practices displayed their advancement and architectural achievements beyond the Olmec civilization.