A Triad of Note

Although it has been established that it is unlikely the ancient peoples used pyramids to deliberately map the night sky, that is not to say that pyramids did not take some cues from the stars themselves. As I have explained previously, many pyramids appear to have been designed to react to natural phenomena, such as the equinox, and as such it is not unreasonable to assume that similarly simple connections might be found.

As Richard Hansen eloquently explains, the Maya pre-classic era was filled with the construction of ‘triadic pyramids’. These structures – in which a single basal plate provides the foundations for three distinct pyramids (a large central pyramid flanked by two smaller ones) – are often postulated to mimic triple-star constellations, such as Orion’s belt. It is interesting to note that, for the Maya, the precise positions of the monuments do not appear to be of any significance, nor their relative sizes. Rather, the significance is all in the number; their relationship is indicated by the shared base and the central plaza to which all are connected by stairs.

Thus, it appears that the Maya, while interested in charting the stars and predicting portentous events, were not so obsessed as to attempt to create a literal map of the stars that would have been beyond the appreciation of the common people. These triadic complexes would instead serve as focal points of religious gatherings and symbolism, drawing the people to the plaza from which they could watch one or all of the observances conducted at the temples atop the pyramids.

It is of interest to note that these triadic complexes were not constructed outside the pre-classic era (2000BC-200AD), leading one to question what it was that made them so terribly important for over two thousand years, only to fade out of significance when the power of the Mayan city states was at its zenith.