ABSTRACT
In general, the layouts of Preclassic sites appear to follow a more regular pattern than those of the Classic period. This is immediately noticeable when observing a site map, especially when the Preclassic architecture is not concealed by later substantial constructions. During the Classic period, centuries of incremental accretion and the addition of new temples and platforms may have distorted or completely transformed the original plaza arrangements of Preclassic times. One obvious commonality in the layout of Lowland sites with largely undisturbed Late Preclassic architecture, such as El Mirador, Tintal, Nakbe, Wakna, Cival, San Bartolo and Cerros, among many others, is the general arrangement along an east-west axis. Despite centuries of accretions of buildings, this pattern is generally maintained and elaborated. A primary east-west pattern has also been noted at early sites in neighboring regions of Highland Chiapas, and has led to some discussion of migrations to, or Highland influences on the early developments of, Lowland Maya civilization (Lowe 1989; Clark et al. 2000; Clark and Hansen 2001).
