Aztec Architecture

Aztec architecture is a late form of Mesoamerican architecture developed by the Aztec civilization. Much of what is known about it comes from the structures that are still standing. These structures have survived for several centuries because of the strong materials used and the skill of the builders.

Influences

Aztec architecture reflects the migration of the Aztec civilization across present-day Mexico. The style of early Aztec pyramids was adapted from those of Classic and other Postclassic Mesoamerican people. Aztec architecture subsequently influenced later Mesoamerican styles.

The ancient Aztecs relied on cosmology, astronomy, and religion as their main sources of inspiration. Aztec religious beliefs are reflected in the designs of the religious structures as well as domestic structures.

History

The most significant architecture of the Aztec Empire was located in the capital city Tenochtitlan, which was destroyed after the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. Materials taken from the city were used in the construction of Mexico City. There is not much remaining archaeological evidence at Aztec sites like the Aztec Temple Square.

Aztec architectural sites include Malinalco, Tenayuca, conquered by the Aztec circa 1434; the earliest known example of the typical Aztec double pyramid, which consists of joined pyramidal bases supporting two temples; and the Templo Mayor, the biggest building in the Aztec city Tenochtitlan.

Aztec cities often competed to construct the greatest temples in the Aztec empire.

Style

Aztec architecture is characterized by symmetry and elements like geometric designs and sweeping lines.

There are also many symbolic elements, including the four cardinal directions, which each represents a deity, color, and symbol. Animal symbols also served as representations: eagles represent the sun and warriors, serpents represented water or fire, and conch shells were fertility symbols. The temples themselves represented mountains, Aztec symbols for water and fertility. The architecture, particularly the sculptures on and in the temples, were symbolically painted.

Types of structures

The structures in the city of Tenochtitlan included temples, palaces, and platforms. The temples were terraced pyramids with steep stairs leading up to the main temple. Domestic structures reflected the social and financial status of inhabitants. Elites lived in palaces, which were called ''tecpan''s. Houses were uniform throughout most of the empire, only varying in size and ornamentation.

The Aztecs built causeways and chinampas in Tenochtitlan due to its location in the Mexico City basin.

Building techniques

The Aztecs had advanced knowledge of building techniques, and they knew how to build on the local geology and terrain, particularly the soft soil. The builders employed stone bases for the temples. J. A. Joyce writes that " e physical geography of Central America was favorable to the rise of the art of building in stone."

Aztecs also used gravity to make a running water system, bringing fresh water to the city grid and employed terracing to enhance agricultural productivity.

Instead of demolishing old temples and building a new one at the same site, the Aztecs simply built over the existing structures, which resulted in larger and more detailed pyramids. Some temples have been found to have at least four or five layers.

Relationship with Aztec culture

The Aztecs designed their buildings to be functional for everyday life as well as religious practices. The architectural style of the Aztecs reflected relationships with a higher power. In Tenochtitlan, the layout of the city represented the birth of Huitzilopochtli.

The teocalli, or pyramid-temples, were significant to Aztec religious practices. They were the sites of religious celebrations and rituals. The temples represented ascension. There were multiple torn levels, which each correlated with different classes. The Aztecs believed that ascension was the processing of preparing oneself to please the gods. At the top was the main temple where sacrifices took place, since that was considered to be closest to the gods.

The households were simpler yet uniform to the rest of the civilization. The Aztecs did not want a mismatched civilization. This could displease the gods in the eyes of the Aztecs. Houses could be one to two stories tall.

Separation of classes

Aztec culture had class stratification. The highest social rank was that of the priesthood, which permitted access to the temples and more exclusive quarters. Members of the priesthood lived near the temples while people of lower classes lived increasingly further away according to their status. The sizes of domestic structures reflected differences in wealth, power, and status.

References

Further reading

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External links

Aztec Architecture from the Think Quest Library

{{History of architecture

Architectural styles
Aztec
Mesoamerican architecture