Schematic representation of the talud-tablero style used in many Mesoamerican pyramids and a prominent stylistic feature of Teotihuacano architectureAn overview of differing Talud-tablero styles used by different Mesoamerican cultures[1]
Talud-tablero is anarchitectural style most commonly used in platforms, temples, andpyramids inPre-ColumbianMesoamerica, becoming popular in theEarly Classic Period ofTeotihuacan.Talud-tablero consists of an inward-sloping surface or panel called thetalud, with a panel or structure perpendicular to the ground sitting upon the slope called thetablero. This may also be referred to as theslope-and-panel style.
Talud-tablero was often employed in pyramid construction, found in Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. It is found in many cities and cultures but is strongly associated with the Teotihuacan culture of centralMexico, where it is a dominant architectural style. Talud-tablero's appearance in many cities during and after Teotihuacan's apogee is thought to be indicative of the city's powerful influence in Mesoamerica as a trade, art, and cultural center, with the architectural style serving to either emulate Teotihuacan or affiliate the cities together.[2] Teotihuacan's influence was especially evident in newer settlements that developed during the Early Classic Period, which adopted thetalud-tablero architectural style and may have utilized guidance from the city to become trading centers themselves.[3] After the fall of Teotihuacan, other cities may have adopted thetalud-tablero style not for its direct affiliation with Teotihuacan, but because of the power it symbolized due to the many successful cultures that had adopted it.[3]
Many different variants on the talud-tablero style arose throughout Mesoamerica, developing and manifesting themselves differently among the various cultures. In some cases, such as theMaya city ofTikal, the introduction of talud-tablero architecture during the Early Classic corresponds with direct contact with Teotihuacan and possible domination or conquest.[4] However, the form of contact at other cities is less well documented and presumably included trade and cultural contacts. A competing theory byJuan Pedro Laporte postulates that Tikal may have developed talud-tablero independently from Teotihuacan based on their extensive use of apron molding in their architecture that may have been a precursor to the slope-and-panel.[5]
The earliest examples of talud-tablero constructions date not from the Teotihuacan Early Classic Period, however, but are found inPre-Classic constructions in the Tlaxcala-Puebla region,[6] with the oldest known dating to c. 200 BC in the Mexican city of Tlalancaleca. It is unknown if Teotihuacan developed their version of the style based on that of Tlalancaleca or if they did so independently.[7] Teotihuacan strongly influenced many other cities which allowed for the architectural style of talud-tablero to be adapted into these cities all over Mesoamerica. Cities and their structures using talud-tablero include:
Cholula-Epiclassic Period- Evidence oftalud-tablero was found in previous pyramids beneath the final layer of the Great Pyramid.[8]Talud-tablero is also mimicked in the creation of the terraces at Cholula.[9]
Kaminaljuyu site in Guatemala-Classic Period-Talud-tablero style tombs were used for the elite of the city.[10]
Matacapan-Classic Period- The center pyramid of the city was created using thetalud-tablero style after the city was directly influenced by Teotihuacan.[11]
Monte Albán-Classic Period- Many structures in Monte Alban have a similar style to Teotihuacan'stalud-tablero, but with a modified panel.[12]
Nakum- Nakum used thetalud-tablero style on the interior side of four pyramids that surrounded Patio 1 in the city.[13]
Teotihuacan- Most structures in Teotihuacan were created by using thetalud-tablero style. The most notable structures usingtalud-tablero include the Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Moon, and Temple of Quetzalcoatl.[14] In fact, the Temple of the Moon's courtyard flows from a smallertalud-tablero that abuts the pyramid.[15]
Tikal-Classic Period- Tikal has a structure usingtalud-tablero that dates to around A.D. 200 and the next large structure seeming to be directly influenced by Teotihuacan withtalud-tablero on two sides of a pyramid.[16]
Xochicalco- The greatest structure of Xochicalco is the Temple of the Feathered Serpent that was created usingtalud-tablero.[17]
Talud-tablero in Tikal Structure 5C-49
Example of Talud Tablero Architecture in Tikal
Talud-tablero in Structure 17 at Calixtlahuaca
Talud-tablero present on platform along Avenue of the Dead, Teotihuacan
Great Pyramid of Cholula, Puebla, Mexico
Other sites where talud-tablero architecture can be found include but are not limited to:
Use oftalud-tablero architecture of sites by period of construction.[18]
Coe, Michael D.; Koontz, Rex (2013).Mexico: From the Olmecs to the Aztecs. New York, NY: Thames and Hudson.ISBN9780500290767.
Garcia Cook, Angel (1973). "Algunos descumbrimientos en Tlalancaleca".Communicaciones de Proyecto Puebla-Tlaxcala.9. Fundación Alemana para la Investigación Científica, Puebla, Mexico:25–34.
Giddens, Wendy Louise (1995).Talud-Tablero Architecture as a Symbol of Mesoamerican Affiliation and Power (Masters). University of California.
Koszkul, Wieslaw; Hermes, Bernard; Calderon, Zoila (December 2006). "Teotihucan-related Finds from the Maya Site of Nakum, Peten, Guatemala".Mexicon.28:117–127.
Laporte, Juan Pedro (1985). "El 'Talud Tabler' en Tikal, Peten: Nuevos Datos".Vida y Obra de Roman Pina Chan. Instituto de Investigaciones Anthropologicas.
