Aztec Architecture

Aztec Architecture

by Emily Burke

What is Architecture?​

Architecture is the design of structures and buildings. Architects are people who practice architecture. They plan and decide the size and shape of a building. They also decide what a building will be made from. Architects need to think about how a building will be used and who will use it.​

Multiple Choice

What is architecture? 

• The study of structures and buildings.

• The design of structures and buildings.

• The destruction of structures and buildings.

Multiple Choice

______ design the shape and size of a building.

• Actors

• Artists

• Architects

​Aztec Architecture

The Aztecs were master builders and made many different types of structures and buildings such as pyramids, temples, and homes.

The Aztecs built their cities by using a grid system.​

Poll

Do you think a grid system is a good way to build a city?

• Yes

• No 

• Not sure

​The City of Tenochtitlan

​The main city of the Aztec Empire was called Tenochtitlan (/tay*nawch*tee*tlahn/). It was one of the largest cities in the world at the time.

​

The city was built on an island in Lake Texcoco. Four causeways, or raised roads, connected the Aztec capital to the mainland. Canals allowed people in canoes to move around the city.

Aztec Pyramids

​Temples were built at the center of the city. The temples were in the shape of pyramids. Pyramids were used for worship, prayer, and to give offerings to different gods.

​

​Most pyramids had double staircases. The tops of the Aztec pyramids were flat. This is where the temples were located. Some pyramids were dedicated to a specific god.

Multiple Select

What were the pyramids used for?

• Worship and prayer

• Offerings

• Shopping

• Education

Multiple Choice

How did the Aztec people move from Tenochtitlan to the mainland? 

• Causeways (Raised Roads)

• A railroad

• Cars

​Tools for Building

Tools like stones, blades, and chisels were used in the construction process.

​

The Aztecs needed to build a strong foundation for their buildings. The ground was swampy. Different types of stones were used to make the buildings strong.

Multiple Choice

The Aztecs used stones, blades, and chisels to build.

• True

• False

​Decorations and Symbols

​Aztec architecture was full of symbols. The symbols were used for decoration and showed their religious

beliefs.

The symbols included:

•The Eagle: Represented the sun and warriors

•Serpents: Represented water or fire

•Frogs and Sea Creatures: Tlaloc symbols

Open Ended

What did you learn about Aztec architecture?

Use a complete sentence.