ABSTRACT

This chapter focuses on the earliest proposed examples, examining the characteristics and assumptions used to define them and understand their role in the evolution of Classic Maya society. The chapter identifies that the super-nahs as buildings that were derived from the early popol nahs is problematic. Although super-nahs have multiple entrances, they are associated with multiple rooms rather than long, single chambers. The popol nah is one of the best-known building types in Maya archaeology - or at least we think we know it well. The chapter argues that popol nahs are a manifestation in architecture of one of the central organizing principles of northern Maya lowland society from at least the early Late Classic Period onward. Postclassic popol nahs have a set of architectural features that ostensibly permits their identification in the archaeological record. They are long, single-roomed buildings with multiple entrances formed by either doorways or colonnades.