AZTEC ARCHITECTURE Randi Ladd H235

General Information  Symbolism was the main focus of their architecture  Aztec architecture reflects the values and civilization of an empire  Prior to Axayacatl, Aztec architecture was not large  Best described as monumental.  Its purpose was to manifest power, while at the same time adhering to strong religious beliefs.  Evident in the design of the temples, shrines, palaces, and everyday homes.

Tenochtitlan

Architectural Materials  Locally found & imported  wood, straw, stone, sand, lime, and clay.  Adobe bricks  water, sand, clay, and a material such as straw

Construction of Homes  Size varied based upon wealth  Same basic pattern followed for all  Houses of families were sometimes built together  Sometimes stone walls in the ground would be added to the lot, to keep the soil from washing away.  Size varied based upon wealth  Same basic pattern followed for all  Houses of families were sometimes built together  Sometimes stone walls in the ground would be added to the lot, to keep the soil from washing away.  square meters (50- 82ft).  A common roof in an Aztec house would be a peaked straw roof.  Very close fitting stones and thick walls  square meters (50- 82ft).  A common roof in an Aztec house would be a peaked straw roof.  Very close fitting stones and thick walls

Aztec Homes  Based on the climate  Only 1 door in the home  Square in shape and located on one wall  Commoners lived in 1 room homes w/ thatched roofs  Split into 4 equal areas  Area for sleep, meal preparation, eating, and a shrine

Noble Aztec Homes  Typically 2 stories tall Located in the central courtyard  Had many flowers nearby  Both noble and commoner homes were built with adobe The climate aided this Noble homes sometimes made of better material (lime or stone)

Aztec Aqueducts  “The Great Aqueduct”  Chapultepec Aqueduct  Twin pipe construction  Made of compact earth and wood  Supply the city of Tenochtitlan with fresh water  Only a small section, about twenty-two arches long, still survives today  “The Great Aqueduct”  Chapultepec Aqueduct  Twin pipe construction  Made of compact earth and wood  Supply the city of Tenochtitlan with fresh water  Only a small section, about twenty-two arches long, still survives today

Aztec Temples Called Teocalli

Teotihuacán Tlaloc and Chalchihuitlicue  Pyramids of the Sun and Moon  Sun pyramid is the 3 rd largest in the world  At the peak (it is believed) they were plastered and painted bright red  Ideas about their architecture were taken from these temples

The Step Pyramid  Built by people other than the Aztecs  Large w/ multiple layers of stone  Built mainly for religious purposes  Appearance:  Symmetrical  Side steps with a temple located on top  Specifically designed serpent heads at the bottom of the pyramid  Symbolized mountains  Built by people other than the Aztecs  Large w/ multiple layers of stone  Built mainly for religious purposes  Appearance:  Symmetrical  Side steps with a temple located on top  Specifically designed serpent heads at the bottom of the pyramid  Symbolized mountains

The Step Pyramid (cont…)  Blocks that were used in the pyramid were carved into geometric shapes  Used color in their pyramids Black = north Blue = south Red = east White = west These were also in relation to the particular God that ruled that direction  Blocks that were used in the pyramid were carved into geometric shapes  Used color in their pyramids Black = north Blue = south Red = east White = west These were also in relation to the particular God that ruled that direction

Other types of pyramids  Constructed in a circular fashion  This was to facilitate circulation of the wind  Direct the wind toward the heavens…  Example = Templo Mayor  Temples were high in height because the Gods lived in the heavens Round PyramidTwin Stairs Pyramid

Templo Mayor

Why was Templo Mayor built?  In honor of the God of War and the God of Water  Gods were appeased by human sacrifices which were performed on the temple…  Referred to by the Aztecs as Coatepec.

Physical Architecture of Templo Mayor  Large stone pyramid  2 Wide staircases up the front  Twin temples located on top  Carved round stone on the on lower platform  Snake heads carved into the foot of the staircase  Large stone pyramid  2 Wide staircases up the front  Twin temples located on top  Carved round stone on the on lower platform  Snake heads carved into the foot of the staircase

What is left behind of Templo Mayor?  Tzompantli-Shrine or Wall of Skulls  Two identical life-size clay statues of Aztec warriors dressed in eagle costumes  stone eagle

Cholula  Tlachihualtepetl  Largest monument  base of 450 by 450 m (1476x1476 ft)  height of 66 m (217 ft)  total volume estimated at over 4.45 million m³

How were things built?  Metal was unknown to the Aztecs  Cords and wedges would be used to cut stone  Sand and water = adhesives  Skilled craftsman  Chisels  Hard stones  Obsidian blades  Metal was unknown to the Aztecs  Cords and wedges would be used to cut stone  Sand and water = adhesives  Skilled craftsman  Chisels  Hard stones  Obsidian blades