For Mesoamerica, there are cosmograms, such as the image I showed from an Aztec codex. Perhaps one could test whether specific spatial symbols of the 4 directions matched the symbols from offerings at a site. But the site is Maya, not Aztec. And such a procedure is very subjective. Its a mess.

I'm not sure. Cosmogram means that the thing in question was constructed to be a spatial model of the cosmos. In some urban traditions (ancient China, Khmer), we have textual references stating that cities were laid out as cosmograms. Here are some images from China.

6/6 cosmograms and other cosmological meanings in ancient architecture. But I see no evidence that this practice has improved in the past 20 years. By the way, all of the other commentators in the Jarus article love the study. Sigh. @asuteolab
@ASUBeingHuman

Latin American Antiquity 14:221-228.
Smith, ME (2005) "Did the Maya Build Architectural Cosmograms?" Latin American Antiquity 16:217-224. I would have thought that scholars who disagreed with me would use my critique to develop better methods of identifying
5/6

Now, THIS is a cosmogram (Aztec, Cdx Fej-Mayer). But I still maintain that there is no evidence - outside the minds of scholars - that ancient Mesoamericans built buildings or cities as cosmograms. Smith ME (2003) "Can We Read Cosmology in Ancient Maya City Plans? Comment on Ashmore and Sabloff"
4/6

.. to identify one." If you read my works on argumentation in archaeology, you will understand why the argument is weak (no formal definition of the key concept, no operationalization, and no testing). I published two critiques of claims for Maya cosmograms, 20 years ago 3/6

Here is my quote from Owen Jarus in LiveScience: "This is a fascinating & important site, but the authors have not demonstrated that the site was a 'cosmogram.'" {Smith} said that the team needs to define what exactly they consider to be a cosmogram and develop a clear method 2/6

This is how archaeologists do it

I checked my old grade records, and you got an "A" in my class, Aztecs, Incas and Mayas!

I haven't figured out yet why many photos and videos won't load here.

Yeah, I have only had a couple of negative experiences over there. Not a fan of the idiot in charge, but for me, there is much more intellectual activity and engagement there than here, and a greater number of feeds that I like to follow closely.