Baptisimal theory

The water at Palenque has a generative effect on the Mayan residents, their culture, and construction. I believe there is a missing construct that frames the courtyard, which would demonstrate programming of birth and origination. I have explored the idea of inserting a matriarchal presence within the time of occupation at Palenque with a baptismal which controls the flow of the Otulum river using gated aqueducts that direct a portion of the water into a pool carved into the courtyard. The name of the site called by its inhabitants was Lakam Ha, or “big water”. The site of Palenque differed from many Mayan cities because of its abundance of water. Central to their lifestyle water served as life, indispensible and sustaining , the mundane, to flush and purify, and death, access to the afterlife through cenotes and water caves under springs. Without the abundance of water the people of Palenque could not have developed such a rich culture which included a stunning architectural repitoir.
The construct would be located to just south of the Palace, and east of the Temple of Inscriptions at Palenque. The Palace is used for administrative purposes and its program can be interpreted as a construction dedicated to life, while the Temple of Inscriptions is programmed for death, being the tomb of the ruler Pacal, the third construct in the this trinity must be programmed of birth, and origination. The entrance on the south west corner leads to a large amphitheatre style gathering space, the declining seating levels scooped into the earth which is akin to the landscape also lowers towards the north. Because of the cascading land the area from which to view is well above the baptismal alter which gives a clear and unobstructed view of the ceremony. The solar orientation of the baptismal lends itself to afternoon until early evening use as this is the ideal position of the sun shining towards the alter behind the congregation. In order to accommodate the change in the height of the river during seasons the construct is built with stairs and platforms to be able to access the water at a variety of levels so as not to effect the ritual. The aqueduct gates allow a calm and gentle pool to be created alongside the rushing river resembling a cenote.
The ceremony of baptism begins within the courtyard where the people of Palenque gather together in preparation of the ceremony, they have brought small offerings of food, and are met by the new baby and mother. The mother then leads the congregation through the entrance of the baptismal, down the staircase allowing the congregation to cascade into the seats. When the crowd is seated the baby is passed from the mother, to a priest. The Priest exits the gathering space and brings the baby down into a stairwell hidden from the public eye, anticipation builds as the priest and child walk through a long hall, only to emerge through a concealed door, suddenly, on the stage. As the priest descends the stairs towards the water, the congregation throw their small offerings of food into the pool with prayers of health and protection to the gods for the baby. It is then that the baby is washed in this blessed and fertile water. After the child has been cleansed the priest will carry them to the alter where he will wrap the baby’s forehead with boards and cloth as a sign of beauty and wealth. The alter is framed such that the priest is no longer entirely visible except for his arms which skillfully swaddle the child. At this the ceremony is over and the priest returns on the path from whence he came to return the child to it’s mother in a small room, the mother may then take the child to the congregation to be received as the newest member.