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an architectural style characteristic of Teotihuacan during the Classic period, in which recessed rectangular panels are separated by sloping aprons
talud-tablero
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describing a residence pattern in which married couples live with or near the husband's family
patrilocal
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the Aztec word for their ritual ballgame
tlachtli
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a type of farming in which the ground is cleared by cutting and burning the vegetation on the spot
slash and burn
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an architectural feature, frequently carved with glyphs and figures, that is placed on the top of Mesoamerican temples
roof comb
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a horizontal beam of wood or stone that supports the wall above a doorway or window
lintel
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the Maya word for a raised causeway constructed of stone blocks and paved with gravel and plaster
sacbe
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a raised complex of palaces and courtyards, especially in Mesoamerica and Greece
acropolis
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the study of inscriptions
epigraphy
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a set of Maya hieroglyphs; generally, each emblem glyph is specific to a given Classic Maya city
emblem glyph
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a tree that grows abundantly in the tropical forests of the Maya Lowlands and bears an edible, also called breadnut
ramon
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an agricultural field created by swamp drainage or landfill operations along the edges of lakes
chinampa
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a stone coffin, usually decorated with sculpture and/or inscriptions
sarcophagus
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a written or painted symbol that more or less portrays the represented object
pictograph
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a written symbol that represents an abstract idea rather than the sound of a word or the pictoral symbol of an object
ideograph
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pertaining to the sounds of speech
phonetic
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a carved human figure serving as a decorative or supporting column
Atlantean column
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the Maya word for a sinkhole,
cenote
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a life size stone figure in a reclining position, with flexed legs and head raised and turned to one side
chac mool
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an arched structure of masonry that forms a ceiling or roof
vault
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a term loosely applied to the people who lived beyond the northern limits of mesoamerica; nomadic people, considered to be uncivilized barbarian
Chichimec
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a small, socially stratified political unit prevalent in Mesoamerica at the time of the spanish conquest
petty state
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a privileged, hereditary guild of long distance Aztec traders
pochteca
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