E-group architectural assemblages, constructed and used for more than a millennium in the Maya Lowlands, are among the most distinctive and enduring forms in Mesoamerican monumental architecture. Since the 1920s, E-groups have been thought to mark the solstices and equinoxes, but more recent investigations have shown that these alignments were rarely accurate. We argue that accurate solar alignment was probably only a minor element, and primarily an early one, of a larger set of metaphorically linked design considerations that included concepts of sacred geography, ritual performance in reference to yearly solar and agricultural cycles, and longer cycles of time, especially katuns, that played a role in Lowland Maya geopolitical structuring.

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From Temple to Meeting House: The Phenomenology and Theology of Places of Worship

Astronomy, ritual, and the interpretation of maya “e-group” architectural assemblages

This study examines the transformation of hostile borders to inviting tourist attractions. It focuses on three cases: the ‘Island of Peace’ on the Israeli–Jordanian border, the ‘Golden Triangle’ of Southeast Asia and the Berlin Wall. All three are located on boundaries that were sites of conflict and instability, formerly closed and fortified but transformed into open and free borders for tourism. The geopolitical changes that have influenced the development of the sites account for the similarities between them. In all three cases, unique attractions have been developed, offering elements such as special demarcation, observation points and commemorations of the heritage of the closed border or a symbolic representation of cooperation and renewed political relations with the neighbouring country. The tourism development at these attractions may constitute an important contribution in terms of awareness and education that could help in strengthening relations of peace and cooperation in places that in the ...

background

From hostile boundaries to tourist attractions

. The assemblage of objects that constitute the publicly visible religious landscape of the United States—houses of worship and a variety of church-related enterprises—deviates so markedly from its counterparts in other lands that we can regard its uniqueness as a significant argument for American exceptionalism. The diagnostic features in question include the extraordinary number and variety of churches and denominations, their special physical attributes, the near-random microgeography of churches in urban areas, and, most especially, their nomenclature and the widely distributed signage promoting godliness and religiosity. Such landscape phenomena suggest connections with much-deeper issues concerning the origin and evolution of American society and culture.

The uniqueness of the american religious landscape

Phenomenology and Environment—Behavior Research

The main aim of this research is to describe and analyse cultural elements that express the symbolic landscape of Israel's border-tourism attractions. The methodology selected is based on the naturalistic approach of landscape interpretation. A descriptive analysis is provided of the symbolism of elements in two case studies of border tourism in Israel. These places have grown into unique tourist attractions, and they illustrate the conflict or the co-operation between Israel and its neighbouring countries. Visits to Israeli border sites usually entail observation and hold a special meaning for tourists, either because they can sense the danger and fear of battles conducted in the past near the border, or because they have a close and clear look at the neighbouring country. On the other hand, these sites are also places of hope for a better future – one of peace and co-operation between the two sides. In many cases the observation points have grown to signify both the core of the conflict and a p...

From Temple to Meeting House: The Phenomenology and Theology of Places of Worship

Citations

Astronomy, ritual, and the interpretation of maya “e-group” architectural assemblages

From hostile boundaries to tourist attractions

The uniqueness of the american religious landscape

Phenomenology and Environment—Behavior Research

Border Tourism in Israel: Conflict, Peace, Fear and Hope

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