Low, open, circular platforms were built in residential areas at sites across the Maya lowlands during the Preclassic period (c. 1000 BCE – 300 CE). These structures were probably used for ritual performances, such as dances. Here, we describe three examples excavated at Ceibal, Guatemala. We argue that round structures were used in supra-household rituals that created overlapping communities between the levels of domestic and public. Using the principles of heterarchy and a practice-based approach to ritual, we examine the physical characteristics of the architecture. During the Late Middle Preclassic (c. 700–350 BCE), in the absence of rulers or a strong hierarchy, supra-household rituals at circular platforms in residential areas created different social relationships than did the communal ceremonies in the public plaza. At the transition to the Late Preclassic (c. 350 BCE), ritual practices and spaces were reorganized, becoming more homogeneous across residential and public contexts, and relationships among households changed. We suggest that studies of the practices that bring together social groups at levels between public and domestic can yield more complete views of social complexity that are not based solely on inequality or hierarchy.

在前古典时期（约公元前 1000 年 - 公元 300 年），在玛雅低地的住宅区建造了低矮、开放的圆形平台。这些结构可能用于仪式表演，例如舞蹈。在这里，我们描述了在危地马拉 Ceibal 出土的三个例子。我们认为，圆形结构被用于超家庭仪式中，在家庭和公共层面之间创造了重叠的社区。使用异质性原则和基于实践的仪式方法，我们检查了建筑的物理特征。在中晚期前古典时期（约公元前 700-350 年），在没有统治者或强大的等级制度的情况下，住宅区圆形平台上的超家庭仪式创造了与公共广场上的公共仪式不同的社会关系。在向晚期前古典时期（约公元前 350 年）过渡时，仪式实践和空间被重新组织，在住宅和公共环境中变得更加同质化，家庭之间的关系也发生了变化。我们建议，研究将公共和家庭之间的社会群体聚集在一起的实践可以产生更完整的社会复杂性观点，而不仅仅是基于不平等或等级制度。