2005 Exploring the Roles of Temples at Yalbac. Research Reports ...

Exploring the Role Yalbac TemplesFigure 4. Figurine fragment from Structure 2F, perhaps of God N.temple (God N)? It is attached to Str. 2G,which on closer inspection might turn out tobe an artificial pool (it is quite steep on allsides). What is the significance of theballcourt being attached at the front of thelargest temple (Str. 2A)? Were the ballcourtand temple a stage for re-enacting creationrites, since ballcourts play a large role inorigin myths (Schele and Miller 1986:243-245)? Its proximity to the acropolis mightindicate it association with the ruling family.Further, its location on the largest and mostaccessible plaza indicates large audiences.Plaza 3 temples might represent anecropolis, perhaps for founding and royalfamilies; the large plaza size suggests thatpublic ceremonies took place, whatever theirpurpose.Architectural and ritual data arecritical when centers lack obviousiconographic and hieroglyphic records.Even when the records are present, theyfocus on kings, not gods. Does this meanthat temples without inscriptions were builtby non-royals, or were they all built by theroyal family and thus did not require kingsto claim the obvious? If all temples weresimilarly built, does this indicate that theyserved multiple functions –for example,seasonal ceremonies, feasts, games, royalrites, and other public events? If templesshow variability, does it indicate that theywere built by different groups (e.g., factions)or that they were built for different gods orfunctions? Do differences only indicatetheir being built at different times in the LateClassic (cf. Jones 1996, 2003)? Thesequestions are critical, especially since mostsecondary centers such as Yalbac lackinscriptions and/or public iconography. Theresults presented, while preliminary, haveexciting implications regarding the role oftemples and their potential to serve as texton Classic Maya society.354