POSTCLASSIC ARCHITECTURAL TRADITIONS AND THE PETÉN ITZAS

Itza architecture is part of larger Mesoamerican and Maya Postclassic architectural traditions and cannot be considered outside that milieu. Thus, instead of simply describing Itza constructions, this chapter considers Itza practices in the context of larger Petén lakes traditions, which in turn are embedded in the general lowland Maya Postclassic. Itza architecture is primarily known from the sites of Ixlú, Tayasal, Nixtun-Ch'ich', and Quexil Island. Our comparative sample of Kowoj architecture, derived from Topoxté, Canté, and Paxté Islands, Zacpetén, and Muralla de León, is better known than Itza architecture for varied reasons. First, most large Kowoj sites are not covered