How would you describe the landscape around Hierve El Agua and the atmosphere of the place created by visitors there?
The landscape was very, very rocky, but natural. The sky was crisp and blue. As we walked out near the water, it seemed as if we were on a high cliff, it very isolated. When we walked around the hierve el agua and saw where the water had been petrified, I felt like I was in the pages of a national geographic kid book. I was look, feeling, and experiencing something I had only been able to imagine through small 100x100 pixeled pictures on either the internet or a textbook for class. Something added as an "interesting fact". I never would have been able to guess what the landscape was like from looking at those small pictures. It was rocky, dirty, prickly, and a bit scary, but the fruit of our climbing labour was worth it. In the distance were more mountain tops, cacti, and other exotic plants. The visitors were very calm and happy, making the place seem like a get-away paradise!
What was your first impression of the sacred city of Mitla (600-1000 CE)?
At first, I felt like I was in a history book. It was strange to actually be walking on ancient history! Something I only am forced to read about or google upon random curiosity, I was walking on. So I tried my best to envision the place as it was when it was in its present day. It was very difficult to do. But my first impression was "Wow, I'm walking on a live history book...". I thought it was amazing how geometrical and symmetrical everything was. Its hard to imagine how they did it and apparently it is difficult to answer because no one ever tells you much of the details of how they did their work and when you ask someone, they give a vague answer. I didn't feel any religious awe or anything since I cannot relate to the place. I just had a sense of wonder from stepping many centuries back in history.
How would you describe the craftsmanship and patterns of the stonework?
The stone work was very precise because each block fit perfectly without the use of mortar to hold it. It probably required a lot of trial and error at first because it took them a while to figure out how to keep buildings standing while remaining in an earth-quake prone area. The patterns are very symmetrical and angular. Right angles and the number four were important for this society. The craftmanship of the patterns is impressive because each piece fit exactly. Sometimes, I'd look at the pieces up close and notice cracks or small, tiny pockets of air and thenI realized that those are only there because the piece is incredibly old. There are some pieces that seem perfectly fit and I can only wonder how in the world did they get things to be so clean and precise. I worked on a Habitat for Humanity site and nothing we did there would ever measure up to the precion at Mitla. "Oh, the block is too big? Okay, take off like... an inch more! Yeah, its a little too short, but we can live with that. Let's go." And jee, how many people were working on this that they were able to get it up? I wonder what their poplation was like?
The movement of the sun across the sky causes the pattern of light and shadows to shift continually across the surface of the buildings at Mitla. How does this affect the visual qualities of the patterned stonework?
I guess the shadows made the shapes stand out more and look different depending on the time of day. I personally think when the sun is lower and there are more shadows, the quality of the patterns are better because there is a new dimension added by the shadows. When the patterns would seem to move due to lighting, it would make the stone come to life. If some people had walked around with torches, the walls would seem alive.
Describe the layout of the ancient administrative and palace complexes we visited in Mitla. You can refer to a map of the site and the course readings, if necessary.
Every place was made in a square shape because it had four sides. Four was the magic number for those in the Mitla because it represented North, South, East, and West. There were many columns used to support the structures and their roofs.
Who lived in these buildings at Mitla?
The priests lived in those buildings. Mitla belong to the Great Seer and he kept his court at Mitla. Mitla was a religious place where very high noblemen were buried when they died. There was one very special building with big steps that we had to climb sideways so that we do not face the preists and do not turn our back to the Gods. This is where people came for worship.
The buildings at Mitla were originally plastered and painted red and white, some surfaces with highly complex symbolic imagery. Imagine yourself standing in the open courtyards of the buildings, with Mixtec nobility wearing elaborate textiles and jewelry standing on the platforms and steps (remember what we saw in the museum), the buildings and sky serving as backdrop. What visual and psychological effect do you think this might create for visitors to the Mixtec city during its heyday?
The visitors might have felt in awe. Not only was it very beautiful, but the sky would make visitors feel very connected to their God. One might feel very small in that place and might understand the urge the people have to pray in the courtyard. It is surprising that the conquistadors had the heart to destroy it.
What do you think about the Spanish building a Catholic church on the foundations of one of the ancient buildings (possibly a religious building), reusing some stones from the ancient site?
At the time, they probably did it to save money, but I like that they did do it because at least those people had a bit of their own past and history still in their life. At the same time, I can see how someone can see it as offensive that the Spanish would use their old bricks meant for something else they considered holy for another thing. Now, that I think about it more... destroying their buildings to replace them with new Spanish buildings is just another form of a total take over. So I can definitely see the offense in that.
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