What were the most significant architectures created by the Aztecs?
What was the purpose of their most significant architectures?
The most dominant pieces of Aztec architecture are the temples of the Aztecs. These temples exemplify how the Aztec architecture is powered by their desire to sacrifice to their gods. Their motivation to build these majestic and powerful structures was to get closer to the skies, where they could sacrifice to their gods from atop their mighty pieces of architecture.
Aztec temples were large pyramids with flat tops, constructed to offer sacrifices to the gods, an integral part of the Aztec religion. Small stone tables were held in the temples upon which sacrifices, predominantly human, were made and offered. The base of the temples housed offerings or rooms for priests or sacrifices to stay.
A common practice was to build on top of the old temples and extend them. The Aztecs would build up to 6 layers on top of one original temple, with the goal of becoming closer to the gods.
Templo Mayor itself was the main religious building of the capitol city, and it had two shrines on the top - one to Huitzilopochtli and one to Tlaloc. Huitzilopochtli (Hummingbird of the South) was the patron god of the Mexica people, the one who led them to Tenochtitlan in the first place. He was the god of the sun and war. Tlaloc was the god of rain and fertility. Both gods required constant human sacrifice. During the final phase of construction, thousands were sacrificed.
The Great Temple of Cholula also known as Tlachihualtepetl was dedicated to the god Quetzalcoatl. During the course of excavations of the Great Pyramid over 400 human burials have been uncovered. Most of these burials date to the Postclassic Period, showing that the Great Pyramid was an important centre of worship well after its use as a temple was discontinued. These burials include a number of human sacrifices, as demonstrated by mangled body parts and skulls from decapitated victims
Many rituals were done at the temples human sacrifice, of course, is the most well known. But there were many more, such as the private ritual blood-letting, burning of copal (a tree resin), and the music of worship.
Aztec temples were large pyramids with flat tops, constructed to offer sacrifices to the gods, an integral part of the Aztec religion. Small stone tables were held in the temples upon which sacrifices, predominantly human, were made and offered. The base of the temples housed offerings or rooms for priests or sacrifices to stay.
A common practice was to build on top of the old temples and extend them. The Aztecs would build up to 6 layers on top of one original temple, with the goal of becoming closer to the gods.
Templo Mayor itself was the main religious building of the capitol city, and it had two shrines on the top - one to Huitzilopochtli and one to Tlaloc. Huitzilopochtli (Hummingbird of the South) was the patron god of the Mexica people, the one who led them to Tenochtitlan in the first place. He was the god of the sun and war. Tlaloc was the god of rain and fertility. Both gods required constant human sacrifice. During the final phase of construction, thousands were sacrificed.
The Great Temple of Cholula also known as Tlachihualtepetl was dedicated to the god Quetzalcoatl. During the course of excavations of the Great Pyramid over 400 human burials have been uncovered. Most of these burials date to the Postclassic Period, showing that the Great Pyramid was an important centre of worship well after its use as a temple was discontinued. These burials include a number of human sacrifices, as demonstrated by mangled body parts and skulls from decapitated victims
Many rituals were done at the temples human sacrifice, of course, is the most well known. But there were many more, such as the private ritual blood-letting, burning of copal (a tree resin), and the music of worship.
How were the Aztec architectures constructed?
The Aztecs used primitive tools like stones, chisels and blades for their construction, rudimentary tools by modern standards, but it didn’t hold the Aztecs back. They focused on building strong foundations since the soil on their ground was susceptible to sinking due to the warm and often damp climate. The Aztecs used a colorful and easy to cut volcanic stone called tezontle to form the base of their constructions. The Aztecs additionally used local stone materials like rubble and limestone that were found in the area, and these were often traded as well.
Aztecs mostly carved their stones for decorations, giving their buildings and materials a unique look that added texture and visual punch to their buildings. The carvings were naive for the most part with a very two dimensional quality They also were also keen on local wood materials and used pine and oak wood from the forests for their beams and doors.
The Aztecs carved symbols in the construction of their architecture to add decoration, style and their beliefs into their architecture.
Here are some of the figures that were commonly used in Aztec buildings and architecture and what they represent.
Aztecs mostly carved their stones for decorations, giving their buildings and materials a unique look that added texture and visual punch to their buildings. The carvings were naive for the most part with a very two dimensional quality They also were also keen on local wood materials and used pine and oak wood from the forests for their beams and doors.
The Aztecs carved symbols in the construction of their architecture to add decoration, style and their beliefs into their architecture.
Here are some of the figures that were commonly used in Aztec buildings and architecture and what they represent.
- Eagle – The eagle was representative of the sun and of warriors
- Serpents – Serpents represented water or fire
- Conch shell – The Conch shell was a important symbol of fertility
- Frogs and sea creatures – Represented Tlaloc Symbols