page_title: Plan de Ayutla (Maya site)
section_title: The North Acropolis
hierarchical_section_title: Plan de Ayutla (Maya site) / Site description / The North Acropolis
caption_attribution_description: English: Plan de Ayutla, Chiapas, Mexico: tower buildiung and palace in Palenque stype Deutsch: Plan de Ayutla, Chiapas, Mexiko: Turmartige Gebäude in Palast
context_page_description: Plan de Ayutla is an archaeological site of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization. It is located in the municipality of Ocosingo of the Mexican state of Chiapas. The ruins are notable for having the earliest urban remains in the Upper Usumacinta region, as well as a unique ancient theater for elite use. The ancient identity of the site is subject to debate.
context_section_description: The North Acropolis is a Maya Palace, a complex that includes elite dwellings, temples and spaces for meetings. It was built around a natural hill that was modified to accommodate the structures. The hill measures 45 m (148 ft) in height, and at least 19 structures were built on it. On the north side, a series of four structures on rising terraces makes the acropolis similar to that of Piedras Negras. The presence of fine-paste ceramics and other items on the complex indicates that it was occupied through the Late Classic.
  In 2012, a theater dating from the Terminal Classic (ca. 800–900 C.E.) was discovered here. A patio surrounded by buildings dating from 250–500 C.E. was customised to make way for three wide bleachers. The external wall of another structure was demolished to make way for a stage. Judging by its size and location, it was intended for a select group of 120 people at most. The theater may have been part of a program to legitimise a new dynasty at Plan de Ayutla that seems to have come to power around 850 C.E. At the same structure, a bath for a member of the elite was discovered, complete with a drainage system. It is one of only four discovered in Mexico that date from pre-Hispanic times (the others being at Palenque, Tonina and Teotihuacan). Ceramics used to hold water for the bath were discovered in an adjoining room.
  Also, in 2011, the remains of an earlier patio surrounded by residential structures were discovered under later buildings of the acropolis, dating from between 50 B.C.E. and 50 C.E. These kind of constructions have not been found at other sites in the region until ca. 250 C.E. The structures have rounded corners, a feature of early Maya architecture. Most of the buildings had their upper parts torn down and used to fill the earlier structure with rubble in order to build the more recent structures.
  On the south side, Structures 1,2 and 3 tower over the complex. All three had vaulted roofs, a narrow entryway and three inner chambers, and have architectural affinities to Palenque.
  Structure 4 is on the second terrace from the top. It was built ca. 800 C.E. Metal cooking utensils have been found here dating from 900–1000 C.E., making archaeologists think that this was a kitchen or pantry.Two burials from the same period have been discovered nearby within a modified staircase. One of the remains is female and was buried with female clay figurines and cooking utensils.
  Structure 6 was an L-shaped building with two temples at its ends. It was apparently the seat of the ruling council that seems to have governed the site for at least part of the Terminal Classic, and was later walled in.
  Structure 13 is a distinctive building dating from the Early Classic. It has one of the tallest vaults discovered in the Maya world, measuring 8 m (26 ft). It was painted in black - a rare color for the inside of buildings among the Maya. The exterior of the roof is decorated with unique stepped patterns. Also, two additional chambers were discovered above the main chambers that may have been a second story or a structural reinforcement. Graffiti on the building show a throne, a lord and the building itself, leading archaeologists to speculate that this was the dwelling of the ruler of Plan de Ayutla. Due to a system of openings, three rectangles of light can be observed on the ceiling of Structure 13 in mid-July, the beginning of the agricultural cycle.
caption: Structure 13. Structure 1 is visible in the background. Note the roof decoration.
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