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xx Introduction to a particular style or set of styles, it is important to take into account the unique circumstances of its design, construction, and use over time. Styles can be created through a predetermined set of architectural principles, similar to the European avant-garde artistic movements of the early twentieth century in Europe. The International Style, which was developed in the 1920s in Europe and the United States, became a global phenomenon with lasting influ- ence. Seen as “International Modernism,” this style, which was promoted by the Congrès Internationaux d’Architecture Moderne (CIAM) and other architectural organizations, rejected the use of ornamental elements that had been fashionable in late nineteenth-century architecture. Instead, this modernist movement sought to implement clean, minimalistic forms and include elements that were abstracted versions of features found in Classical and Islamic architecture. In contrast, a longer cultural trajectory can be understood as a style that is des- ignated by later historians. For example, the architectural practices of ancient Mayan cultures have features of stylistic continuity that form an overarching “Maya” style. The eighth-century CE TIKAL TEMPLE I and the tenth- or elev- enth-century CE EL CASTILLO are great Mayan temple-pyramids, both cultur- ally and stylistically. Archaeologists further subdivide these monuments within different phases of Mayan architectural history as the “Late Classic Maya” and the “Maya-Toltec or Postclassic” styles, respectively. Understanding the develop- ment of a style can illuminate cultural or political changes among other factors. Moreover, tracking the stylistic subdivisions can aid in the dating of sites and other materials without historical or archaeological context. Many historic buildings have multiple phases of construction, which can be separated by significant periods of time. The result is that these buildings contain a variety of styles as taste and fashion—and technical abilities—can change through time. One example is the monumental cathedral of Chartres, France, which displays Romanesque, Early Gothic, and Late Gothic stylistic elements. This visible mixture of medieval styles within the building is due to successive fires at the site that necessitated rebuilding over a number of centuries. Another important factor of style is its relationship to past architectural styles motifs or elements can reference the architecture of earlier periods to make a symbolic con- nection. Some styles adhere to past models with a high degree of intention or demonstrate a willingness to envision an earlier style anew. These styles can be broadly described as Revival styles. Many homes in use across the United States today can be described as Colonial Revival or Neo-Colonial in style because their aesthetics are intentionally similar to eighteenth-century Georgian-style build- ings, which were constructed before the American Revolution. A key factor in architectural development is advancement in technology and engineering. For example, the introduction of cement-based concrete led to a revo- lution in building practice in ancient Rome. Concrete allowed for new architec- tural forms and greater possibilities, such as construction of the large, still-intact dome of the PANTHEON in Rome. In addition to advancements in materials and techniques, cultural changes have dramatically impacted the trajectory of archi- tectural history. The establishment of Buddhism in Japan during the sixth century CE, via China and Korea, brought with it the need to construct new monuments in