1. AZTEC ARCHITECTURE Randi Ladd H235

2. 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.

3. Tenochtitlan

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

5. 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.  15-25 square meters (50- 82ft).  A common roof in an Aztec house would be a peaked straw roof.  Very close fitting stones and thick walls  15-25 square meters (50- 82ft).  A common roof in an Aztec house would be a peaked straw roof.  Very close fitting stones and thick walls

6. 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

7. 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)

8. 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

9. Aztec Temples Called Teocalli

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. Templo Mayor

15. 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.

16. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapultepec_aqueduct http://www.aztec-history.net/aztec_pyramids http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pyramid_of_Cholula http://www.aztec-history.com/cholula-pyramid.html http://www.famsi.org/research/aguilar/Aztec_Architecture_Part2.pdf http://www.sacred-destinations.com/mexico/mexico-city-templo-mayor.htm http://library.thinkquest.org/10098/aztec.htm http://www.aztec-indians.com/aztec-homes.html http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/CIVAMRCA/AZTECS.HTM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY5rVgTxU-k