Pre Columbian Aztec Buildings

[ushistoryprof]

Hello, I am puting together, for my World Civ Classes, a series of dioramas of Pre-Columbian warriors, Maya, Aztec, Incas their enemies and allies and the like in 28mm figures. I need help with basic building designs. I have built some temples and commoner homes, but I want a more Royal feel.  Have any of you built palaces for any of these cultures?  I would like to build each structure on approximately 300 mm x 300 mm bases, but this size is flexible I could go up to double this size if need be. If you have built any, where did you get the basic plans and ideas?  What materials did you find the best for construction?  What colours and artistic designs did you use?  Pics of your work would be helpful for ideas. Any and all ideas will be appreciated.

[duhamel]

ok I reply  in pm 

[Cheeky Monkey]

I'm not sure if this will help with your ideas but i thought I'd post it to give you an idea of what some others have done
http://hirstarts.yuku.com/topic/4147

[ushistoryprof]

ok I reply  in pm 

Sorry, my computer couldn't read your pm.

[archangel1]

I've got more reference, in general, on Aztecs than Mayans but most of what I have relates to temples because they are usually the more visible among the current ruins.  The little bit I can see on palaces leads me to believe that they might not be feasible to represent on the table, even if selectively compressed.  They're huge, on the order of several hundred foot frontages! They also show that peculiarity you often see in Roman buildings.  There isn't a square corner in the joint! Not easy to pull off without giving viewers the impression that you're a really lousy modeller! 'Look, Martha, that fellow has certainly never heard of a square.  Nice figures, but he's a rotten architect!'

[duhamel]

Sorry, my computer couldn't read your pm.

ok  les voyages d'alix les azteques, les mayas(1) & (2) les incas

http://www.google.fr/imgres?imgurl=http://www.galerienapoleon.com/planches-comics-bd/jeronaton-alix-mayas1-pl16-17.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.galerienapoleon.com/zoom_planche-originale-d-alix-original-comic-art-tavole-originali-gallery-napoleon_fr_58_2.html&usg=__tQm9lWYLLcWnpzqgtQdD7Du9XuA=&h=599&w=900&sz=111&hl=fr&start=19&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=a0jWEiqWnDQK-M:&tbnh=97&tbnw=146&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dles%2Bvoyages%2Bd%2527alix%26um%3D1%26hl%3Dfr%26sa%3DX%26tbs%3Disch:1

[Dewbakuk]

I've got more reference, in general, on Aztecs than Mayans but most of what I have relates to temples because they are usually the more visible among the current ruins.  The little bit I can see on palaces leads me to believe that they might not be feasible to represent on the table, even if selectively compressed.  They're huge, on the order of several hundred foot frontages! They also show that peculiarity you often see in Roman buildings.  There isn't a square corner in the joint! Not easy to pull off without giving viewers the impression that you're a really lousy modeller! 'Look, Martha, that fellow has certainly never heard of a square.  Nice figures, but he's a rotten architect!'

Same goes for the Inca ones, although they did fairly well at squares. Palace complexes were either huge such as the one overlooking Cuzco (not Sacsayhuaman which was more likely a religous complex), or actually integrated into the city construction such as at Machu Pichu. I hiked the Inca trail a few years ago and visited rather a lot of temples and way stations while walking the Andes for most of a week, I've already provided other people on this forum with pics of how the stone work functions, so if they'd be of use to you I can find them again?

[ushistoryprof]

Thanks for the great site duhamel, the drwaings are really helpful! Dewbakuk, archangel1 & Cheeky Monkey thanks for the insights, I now have a better feel for what I should do.  I am now redesigning the project with the ideas you all gave!

Prof

Wow, I just realized that this is my 500th post. LAF is just a great place for ideas, full of creative folks-thanks for all the assistance.  Now I have to start on my next 500.