Abstract

MATARREDONA DESANTES, Nuria. The Steambath Architecture in Maya Culture. Estud. cult. maya [online]. 2014, vol.44, pp.11-40. ISSN 0185-2574.

Steambaths are one of the most singular and yet barely studied building types from the Maya civilization. The present study addresses its architectural analysis as an essential tool for the preservation of this deeply rooted tradition from Prehispanic times till today. It is considered fundamental to approach this issue from an ethnographic and ethnohistoric view of its Mesoamerican context, where these baths are known as temascal. Based on a thorough documentation process, this paper analyzes comparatively those buildings identified as temascal. It contributes to structure a deeper scientific knowledge on the fundamental concepts of this architecture.

Keywords : Maya; architecture; temascal; steambath; conservation.