ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses several topics relevant to the identification of the presence of a royal court at Tikal, the physical markers of such a court, and some specific examples of the bench type as a marker of courtly activity. It examines the variety of reception thrones as evidence of court function and discusses few other related topics. Throne rooms that contain benches with backscreens and side-arm screens marking the throne function are also found in multiroomed, multifunction buildings. The chapter explores the palace grouping closest to the ceremonial center of Tikal is the Central Acropolis, the base data source. It focuses upon the specific role of thrones and buildings used exclusively for throne-reception. The chapter considers the entire class of throne-benches that are decorated on the seat rim by a sky-band, as on the bench in Structure 66C at Copan. New knowledge and retrospect allow people to admit one other building as a likely family residence: Structure 5D-57.
