What does the Onion Effect in Maya architecture refer to?

The Onion Effect in Maya architecture specifically refers to the practice of building new structures on top of existing sacred sites. This layering of construction is significant in understanding the cultural and religious continuity within Maya society. As new structures were added, they did not erase the previous constructions, but rather acknowledged and integrated them into the new architectural context. This reflects the Maya's respect for their ancestors and their spiritual past, indicating that sites were continuously valued and reused over generations.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately capture the essence of the Onion Effect. The second choice about layering new information over old knowledge, while it speaks to a process of accumulation, does not specifically pertain to architectural practices. The option about increasing the size of temples over time touches upon architectural evolution but does not encapsulate the idea of incorporating existing sacred sites. Lastly, creating distinct visual styles over time relates to aesthetic changes and artistic evolution rather than the foundational practice of constructing new buildings atop older ones.