AZTEC ARCHITECTURE

Randi LaddH235

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 Capital City city plan was

based on a symmetrical layout that was divided into four city sections called Campans

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.

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

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

Aztec Temples

Called Teocalli

Teotihuacán

Tlaloc and Chalchihuitlicue

Pyramids of the Sun and Moon Sun pyramid is the 3rd 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

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

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 Pyramid Twin Stairs Pyramid

Templo Mayor Discovered in the

heart of Mexico City

Construction began after 1325 AD Enlarged over the

next two centuries

Center of religious life

Destroyed by the Spaniards

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

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

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapultepec_aqueduct

http://www.aztec-history.net/aztec_pyramids

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pyramid_of_Cholulahttp://www.aztec-history.com/cholula-

pyramid.htmlhttp://www.famsi.org/research/aguilar/Aztec_Architecture_Part2.pdfhttp://www.sacred-destinations.com/mexico/mexico-city-

templo-mayor.htmhttp://library.thinkquest.org/10098/aztec.htm

http://www.aztec-indians.com/aztec-homes.html

http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/CIVAMRCA/AZTECS.HTM

Sourceshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY5rVgTxU-k