Architecture within Mesoamerica is some of the most well preserved breathtaking works of art to date. Many of the pyramids in Mesoamerican culture were generally earth mounds with stone designed in stepped form that ascended from the bottom base (being the largest) into a smaller platform or temple. The small platforms / temples were very sacred being that most of the time it was where only those belonging to a privileged community were allowed to set foot. Each individual structure played very important roles during its time serving as symbolic works of art within the culture being that many served as places of ritual worship, sacrifice, observatories and much more. The Pyramid of the Niches is believed to be one of the most important structures architecturally. Located in El Tajin, right in the center of acres of ruins, it’s strong build and unusual features are what make it a great example of Mesoamerican architecture. The Pyramid of Niches was constructed in the 8th century consisting of 6 platforms and standing at over 20 meters high with 365 almost perfectly symmetrical square niches. It is believed that each one of the individual niche’s …show more content…
Even though this temple was started by King Pakal it wasn’t finished until later by his son Kan Balam II after Pakal died in AD 675 in order to honor him. The temple stands 75 feet high with 8 stepped terraces to the base of the temple and a stairway that leads up to the temple. The front of the temple consists of 5 doorways with piers in between. One of the most interesting parts about this temple is the duct that runs to the floor of the temple from the tomb. The use of this duct is unclear, however, there are many theories that this duct was used for Pakal’s spirit to communicate during bloodletting rituals. (Criscenzo, Jeeni. "The Teample of the Inscriptions." Criscenzo. N.p., 2001. Web. 26 Mar. 2016.
The Pyramids Of Giza were chosen as they are three extraordinary structures that give a rich insight into the context, culture, function, technology, power and experiential aspects of the time period and the buildings themselves. The three pyramids showcase the Egyptian’s advanced construction and design methods, their religious beliefs and practices, their rich and diverse culture, the power of the king, as well as the context that surrounded these magnificent structures.
Examples of some form of ceramics are prevalent in each of the Americas’ cultures. In Mesoamerica, West Mexico and Colima are both well known for the ceramic figures found
Paintings illustrate the Aztec’s style of clothing and the important roles they play as such as those who led the ceremonies wore robes
The Mayans were known for their engineering, one structure they were famous for is their pyramid temple
Temples or Pyramids, or any building that does it’s job to honour the gods. Aztecs and Egyptians had a symbolic reasoning for showing extravagant ways to show appreciation the gods that do so much for them. For social classes, this isn’t something that really changes along with ages or civilizations. Although there might be slight differences, the main focal point is that there was the people who were recognised as lower class and middle and high class. Aztecs and Egyptians both had a leader or high class person that they follow to the end. Whether for Aztecs that was priest or Egyptians a Pharaoh, no matter what, Someone had more authority than a person that was just trying to make a living by building. Appearance can come in many shapes or forms when it comes to your civilization. Though what connects them all together is that Egyptians and Aztecs cared clearly about how they appeared. Even though Egyptians took care of more makeup and accessories, Aztecs cared more hygienic by bathing twice a day. Putting them together, you see that appearance is key to when comes to a civilization. It what them all connected but also uniquely
The Mayan pyramids were built with an entrance at the top lead by a staircase on every side of the pyramid. These pyramids were used as temples for worship, along side the tombs of dead leaders. Yet, only priests were allowed to climb the stairs to the top, using them for religious rituals such as sacrifices. To add even more, the Mayans placed the locations of the pyramids to "note important points in the calendar, such as the solstice and equinox"(Source 3). Compared to the Pyramids of Giza, the Mayan pyramids don't come close when it comes to height, but in the tactical sense, the Mayans beat them by a
Art in the Aztec empire came from a long line of history. The history was made from many different tribes. It is known that “most of the historical and archaeological testimonies of ancient Mexico come from the Aztec world and, in particular, its capital city, Mexico City- Tenochtitlan” (Brumfiel & Feinman, 2008, 153). The techniques used in the Aztec art were influenced by years of artistry. Ancient Aztec art was usually traded from countries nearby. Aztecs took pride in creating very beautiful pottery. The Aztecs, were thought to have originated as a nomadic tribe in Northern Mexico. The Aztecs considered their “own household wares to be less fine than Mixteca-Puebla pottery” (Pasztory, 1998, p. 292). There is a lot to be known about the ancient Aztec Pottery.
Architecture, like many things, can also be made for the use of or inspired by the symbols people believe in. Therefore, art and architecture in Ancient Mesoamerica can be stated to be made for the use of religious symbols. Making architecture and art forms takes effort, dedication, and patience. Architecture can take years to make, as was s...
Culture is a very precious resource that has been taken for granted many times over the course of history. Humanity will never truly understand the value of culture, and as a race, humans have destroyed multiple precious cultures. One of these societies whose culture has been destroyed is the Inca Empire. Like other societies untouched by outside influences, the Inca Empire had blossomed into its own unique culture. They had their own societal order that functioned in a fashion that was equal in efficiency to other cultures that, at the time, considered themselves more advanced. One of these empires that considered themselves superior was the Spanish Empire. The Spanish went through an era of expansionism. One of their main excursions during
The areas dominated by the Maya are known today as the southern Mexican states: Chiapas, Campeche, Yucatan, Quintana Roo, and Tabasco. The Maya civilization spread all the way through the nations of Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, and Honduras. A very large expanse of city-states that ruled the area linked by trade routes.
The Olmecs are the earliest known Mesoamerican civilization. Around 1200 B.C. the Olmecs originated as a primitive people living and farming on the shores of Mexico (Stanton 91). Soon, however, they began to build cities such as San Lorenzo, La Venta, and Monte Alban. These “cities” were religious centers where people gathered to worship, and were not populated (Stanton 91). The first of these centers, San Lorenzo, was built c. 1150 B.C., on a flat topped, man-made mountain. It was mysteriously abandoned 200 years later (Stanton 92-93). La Venta, built between 1000 and 600 B.C., sat on an island in a swamp (Stanton 93). Later, around 500 B.C., Monte Alban, which was used as a religious center even after the Olmecs faded, was built on an immense mountain (Stanton 93). The cities were made up of temples and plazas, and decorated by monumental stone heads, which weighed up to 50 tons (Stanton 93)! These heads probably represented their early kings and had distinct helmets (Kingfisher 32). It is incredible how the Olmec people transported the stone from the distant mountains to La Venta, near the shore, without the aid of work animals or carts. It appears that the Olmecs did this grueling work for their gods willingly, as there is no evidence of forced labor (Stanton 93). The Olmecs probably worshipped the jaguar, as it appears so often in their artwork. There are also many e...
Most art and architecture in the Aztec civilization was based on their religion. There are many brightly colored murals and paintings on walls and on bark which depict religious ceremonies, along with large idols of gods. One of the most amazing and famous of the...
It’s no secret that to this day it is one of the largest structure ever erected during the ancient Americas. Traveling west among the silhouettes of the mountains lies the second largest structure in Mesoamerica, the Pyramid of the Moon. Holding equal historical and religious value as the Pyramid of the Sun, this structure was more of a landmark to look at above the ground. What really made these pyramids special is the caves down below, holding the significance of where the Gods created the fifth world according to Aztec
They were believed to be centered on the Southern Gulf coast of Mexico, which are today the states of Veracruz and Tabasco. The earliest Olmec ceremonial center at San Loremzo, was built at the top of a large barrier, three quarters of a mile long, with a stone drainage system running right through the mound. Another center, at La Venta, was built on high ground between rivers. The La Venta buildings are placed symmetrically along a north-south axis with four colossal heads facing outwards at key points, seemingly acting as guardians to the complex. It is at the south end of a large, open plaza aligned by long, low earth mounds. The Great Pyramid is the most well-known trait that’s on an earth mound and rises to a height of 100 feet. “A huge ceremonial step pyramid (now a shapeless mound), sunken plaza once lined with 2 meters high basalt columns, and two smaller pyramids/mounds provide features that would be copied time and again at the major sites of later Mesoamerican cultures with whom equal attention was paid to the precise alignment of buildings. La Venta, as with San Lorenzo, suffered systematic and deliberate destruction of its monuments sometime between 400 and 300 BCE.”
The following paper is made for the purpose of publicizing an issue as important and historic as it is "Maya Architecture",the characteristics of the Mayan architecture. Mayan architectural elements, ceremonial platforms, pyramids, Temple, cresting, Orientation, Maya Vault, Stele, Glyph, Urban Design, Building Materials, Construction Process, Regional Architectural Styles. The Mayan architecture is the richest in the New World, because of the complexity and variety of means of expression. Structures gigantic limestone stucco covered were his hallmark.