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Contents : AZTEC ARCHITECTURE - Part 2 by MANUEL AGUILAR-MORENO Ph.D. PHOTOGRAPHY: FERNANDO GONZ LEZ Y GONZ LEZ AND MANUEL AGUILAR-MORENO Ph.D. DRAWINGS: LLUVIA ARRAS FONDA PORTALES ANNELYS P REZ RICHARD PERRY AND MARIA RAMOS. TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Symbolism TYPES OF ARCHITECTURE General Construction of Pyramid-Temples Temples Types of pyramids Round Pyramids Twin Stair Pyramids Shrines (Adoratorios) Early Capital Cities City-State Capitals Ballcourts Aqueducts and Dams Markets Gardens BUILDING MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES THE PRECINCT OF TENOCHTITLAN Introduction Urbanism Ceremonial Plaza (Interior of the Sacred Precinct) The Great Temple Myths Symbolized in the Great Temple Construction Stages Found in the Archaeological Excavations of the Great Temple Construction Phase I Construction Phase II Construction Phase III Construction Phase IV Construction Phase V Construction Phase VI Construction Phase VII Emperor's Palaces Homes of the Inhabitants Chinampas Ballcourts Temple outside the Sacred Precinct OTHER CITIES Tenayuca The Pyramid Wall of Serpents Tomb-Altar Sta. Cecilia Acatitlan The Pyramid Teopanzolco Tlatelolco The Temple of the Calendar Temple of Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl Sacred Well Priests' Residency The Marketplace Tetzcotzinco Civic Monuments Shrines Huexotla The Wall La Comunidad (The Community) La Estancia (The Hacienda) Santa Maria Group San Marcos Santiago The Ehecatl- Quetzalcoatl Building Tepoztlan The Pyramid-Temple of Tepoztlan Calixtlahuaca Temple of Ehecatl-Quetzalcoatl The Tlaloc Cluster The Calmecac Group Ballcourt Coatetelco Malinalco Temple I (Cuauhcalli) Temple of the Eagle and Jaguar Knights Temple II Temple III Temple IV Temple V Temple VI Figures Bibliography OTHER CITIES The Aztec empire was a large domain that extended from the Valley of Mexico to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec Figs. 104 and 105 . Large portions of the empire were not occupied but governed. Other cities of the empire were occupied and were important for military religious or tribute purposes. Many sites such as Malinalco and the Hill of Coatepec were significant because the final breaks of the Aztecs occurred there during their migration history. In addition to Tenochtitl n the more important cities of the Aztec world where archaeological remains can be visited are: Tenayuca Sta. Cecilia Acatitlan Teopanzolco Tlatelolco Tetzcotzinco Tepoztlan Huexotla Calixtlahuaca Coatetelco and Malinalco. They are discussed below. Tenayuca Tenayuca meaning the Place Where Walls Are Made was a Chichimec city founded in 1224 C.E. and was located northwest of Mexico City. Tenayuca was an enclosed and fortified city founded by king Xolotl and was the capital of the Chichimecs until a later king Quinatzin moved to Tetzcoco. It had six major construction phases from 1224 to 1507 C.E. Aztec influence was visible by 1325 C.E. Although its temple was built during the Post-Classic period archaeological materials found inside the temple indicate that Tenayuca was inhabited long before. The early phases of Tenayuca's pyramid construction began after the fall of Tula (1200 C.E.) and before the founding of Tenochtitl n. It is believed by some scholars that the Great Temple of Tenochtitl n was modeled after the great temple of Tenayuca. The double-pyramid was four-tiered faced the plaza and was ornamented with rows of serpents surrounding all three sides of the base forming a coatepantli (serpent wall) inspired by the one in Tula. As the snakes in the coatepantli have a spiral-like crest in their heads they are identified as xiuhcoatls or fire serpents the weapon of Huitzilopochtli. This symbol signified an association of Tenayuca with sun god cult and fire renewal. The gods Huitzilopochtli Tlaloc Mixcoatl Itzpapalotl Chicomecoatl and Coatlicue were worshiped there. The Pyramid Tenayuca's pyramid is composed of several superimposed layers Fig. 106 . All layers follow the same system of construction patterns of decoration and layout. The earliest structure has carved stone slabs facing a rock core. There after the current pyramid would be used as a core for the next successive layering/construction phase Fig. 107 . Slabs were coated with cement made from sand lime and crushed tezontle. Color would then be applied. Carved stone serpent heads year glyphs shields knives and other symbols were used for decoration. The low platform that projected from the pyramid was ornamented with bones and sculpted crossed skulls. Wall of Serpents Known as the coatepantli the Wall of Serpents covers all three sides of the pyramid's platform Fig. 108 . It was found that there are 43 50 and 45 serpent heads on the north east and south walls Fig. 109 . Greenish blue paint is visible on the snakes' bodies of the south side and half of the bodies on the east side. Their bodies' scales were outlined in black. The north wall's serpents were garnished in black with white ovals. Snakes' rattles were detailed by carving three stepped planes at the tip of their tails. It is believed that the color schemes used on the bodies were related to the symbolism of sun worship. On the north and south ground level of the pyramid coiled serpents were positioned. The heads of stone are ornamented with a spiral crest that identifies the fire serpent as a xiuhcoatl which is associated with fire renewal sun worship and the 52-year calendar Fig. 110 . The stone heads were decorated with bulging dots that are believed to symbolize stars. The rocky stairway has visible engravings from the last structural addition. A year glyph a linked rectangle and triangle banners concentric circles a knife turquoise chimallis or shields and precious stones are still visible. The carvings do not appear to have a systematic order. Tomb-Altar Located in front of the pyramid there is a combined tomb and altar with colored paintings of crossbones and skulls inside. illustrating skulls Fig. 111 . The outside has carved stone reliefs

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