Aztec architecture: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 20:59, 7 March 2023

Revision as of 21:02, 7 March 2023

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Aztec architecture reflects the migration of the Aztec culture across present-day [[Mexico]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Aguilar-Moreno|first=Manuel|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZseasJq3WzEC&dq=aztec+architecture&pg=PR5|title=Handbook to Life in the Aztec World|date=2007|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-533083-0|language=en}}</ref> The style of early Aztec pyramids was influenced by those of Classic and other Postclassic [[Mesoamerican architecture|Mesoamerican]] societies.<ref name=":0" /> Aztec architecture subsequently influenced later Mesoamerican styles.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Rice|first=Don Stephen|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k2uX2NnOH9EC&pg=PA295|title=Latin American Horizons: A Symposium at Dumbarton Oaks, 11th and 12th October 1986|date=1993|publisher=Dumbarton Oaks|isbn=978-0-88402-207-7|language=en}}</ref> As Manuel Aguilar-Moreno writes, "Aztec architecture was heavily influenced by the Toltec of Colhuacan, the Tepanec of Atzcapotzalco, and the Acolhua of Tetzcoco".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Aguilar-Moreno |first1=Manuel |title=Handbook to Life in the Aztec World |date=2007 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-533083-0 |page=217 |url=https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=ZseasJq3WzEC&oi=fnd&pg=PR5&dq=aztec+architectural+style&ots=-bfbRit-Za&sig=F621F8rWAzM5psqA-NwoFkRtMdQ#v=onepage&q&f=false |access-date=7 March 2023}}</ref> It is important to note that since the Aztec Empire was largely built through conquest, the Aztecs had the challenge of incorporating the ethnic groups of the regions they conquered into one unified empire. By having a distinct architectural style, the Aztec Empire was able to promote its worldview and showcase the power of the Empire's military.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Aguilar-Moreno |first1=Manuel |title=Handbook to Life in the Aztec World |date=2007 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-533083-0 |page=218 |url=https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=ZseasJq3WzEC&oi=fnd&pg=PR5&dq=aztec+architectural+style&ots=-bfbRit-Za&sig=F621F8rWAzM5psqA-NwoFkRtMdQ#v=onepage&q&f=false |access-date=7 March 2023}}</ref>

The ancient Aztecs focused 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.<ref name=":0" /> Research into the significance of building alignment in Aztec culture has shown that the dates of sunrises and sunsets along architectural orientation exhibit a pattern of separated intervals that are largely multiples of 13 and 20 days. This detail suggests to experts that the orientation of these structures was related to the [[Mesoamerican calendars|Mesoamerican calendrical system]]. It has also been discovered that the dates that occur most frequently in these orientations align with important days in the ritual agricultural cycle of the Aztecs.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Šprajc |first1=Ivan |title=Astronomical Alignments at the Templo Mayor of Tenochtitlan, Mexico |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/002182860003102502 |website=Sagepub |publisher=Science History Publications, Ltd. |access-date=7 March 2023 |page=1}}</ref>

== History ==

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Elites lived in palaces, which were called ''tecpan''s.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/57392889|title=Palaces of the ancient new world : a symposium at Dumbarton Oaks, 10th and 11th October 1998|date=2004|publisher=Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection|others=Susan Toby Evans, Joanne Pillsbury, Dumbarton Oaks|isbn=0-88402-300-1|___location=Washington, D.C.|oclc=57392889}}</ref> The word tecpan is often used as a shorthand for many different types of palaces, regardless of any special functions individual structures may have had.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Evans |first1=Susan |title=Aztec Palaces and Other Elite Residential Architecture |url=https://ens9004-infd.mendoza.edu.ar/sitio/historia-america-latina/upload/05-%20EVANS%20&%20PILLSBURY%20-%20LIBRO%20-%20Palaces%20of%20the%20Ancient%20New%20World.pdf#page=16 |website=Mendoza.edu |publisher=Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection |access-date=7 March 2023}}</ref> "Most commonly, the term [tecpan] meant the home of a hereditary lord, and it also took on associated meanings, such as seat of government, place of riches and art, and idyllic retreat amidst scenery and diversions".<ref name="ens9004-infd.mendoza.edu.ar">{{cite web |last1=Evans |first1=Susan |title=Aztec Palaces and Other Elite Residential Architecture |url=https://ens9004-infd.mendoza.edu.ar/sitio/historia-america-latina/upload/05-%20EVANS%20&%20PILLSBURY%20-%20LIBRO%20-%20Palaces%20of%20the%20Ancient%20New%20World.pdf#page=16 |website=Mendoza.edu |publisher=Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection |access-date=7 March 2023 |page=17}}</ref>

Aztec palaces consisted of three main types: Administrative palaces, mansions of wealthy nobles, and pleasure palaces and retreats. Administrative palaces served as the ___location for local government, as well as the residences of local rulers. The focal point of these structures was a large courtyard near the entrance of the building, surrounded by suites that served various purposes.<ref name="ens9004-infd.mendoza.edu.ar"/> "The form of the tecpan is dominated by a large courtyard, opening onto the community plaza, which is best seen as a kind of mega-courtyard for the community," according to Susan Evans.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Evans |first1=Susan |title=Aztec Palaces and Other Elite Residential Architecture |url=https://ens9004-infd.mendoza.edu.ar/sitio/historia-america-latina/upload/05-%20EVANS%20&%20PILLSBURY%20-%20LIBRO%20-%20Palaces%20of%20the%20Ancient%20New%20World.pdf#page=16 |website=Mendoza.edu |publisher=Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection |access-date=7 March 2023 |page=23}}</ref> The mansions of wealthy nobles were used solely as residences, and were constructed in accordance with Aztec sumptuary laws.<ref name="Aztec Palaces and Other Elite Resid">{{cite web |last1=Evans |first1=Susan |title=Aztec Palaces and Other Elite Residential Architecture |url=https://ens9004-infd.mendoza.edu.ar/sitio/historia-america-latina/upload/05-%20EVANS%20&%20PILLSBURY%20-%20LIBRO%20-%20Palaces%20of%20the%20Ancient%20New%20World.pdf#page=16 |website=Mendoza.edu |publisher=Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection |access-date=7 March 2023 |page=18}}</ref> Pleasure palaces and retreats served many purposes, ranging from add-on structures at religious shrines to more opulent structures, such as [[Nezahualcoyotl (tlatoani)|Nezahualcoyotl's]] baths, located at [[Texcotzingo]].<ref name="Aztec Palaces and Other Elite Resid"/>

Unfortunately, experts only have substantial evidence for a few dozen tecpans, out of the hundreds that once stood throughout the Aztec Empire. Most of these confirmed finds are administrative tecpans.<ref name="Aztec Palaces and Other Elite Resid"/>