Architectural Energetics

Since Elliot Abrams' seminal 1994 book "How the Maya Built their World: Energetics and Ancient Architecture," many archaeological scholars have explored architectural energetics as a methodology and lens through which to understand cultural change, political economy, construction processes, and architectural features. The scholars presenting in this session apply architectural energetics in diverse regions and support many contextual arguments that highlight both the diversity of the ancient past and commonalities of construction. In light of these distinct contextual applications, we explore energetics investigations twenty years on from Abrams' important synthesis. Further, we explore what insights these diverse studies offer for our understanding of how and why people engaged in constructing large architectural features through time and space.