Mayan Architecture Essay

Years and years ago, simple civilizations by the names of Aztecs and Mayans figured out a way to construct amazing temples. While these temples are used for many things, there are more specific uses than others. With no tools other than their bare hands, the Aztecs and Mayans figured out a way to construct gigantic temples and pyramids. Although the construction of the temples took a long time, they are used for many things, and last a whole long time.
Mayans used many different types of materials for constructing these temples, some so heavy it seems impossible to do. Their main item to make the temples was sandstone slabs, some so big they weighed almost a ton("Mayan Architecture"). They used many different techniques to move these gigantic pieces of rock to the construction site. First, they cut the rock using other rocks and stone tools, then they propped the rock up on sticks, and used it as leverage to slowly move the rocks("Mayan Architecture"). Once the rock was in place, the Mayan people used melted limestone almost as a cement to make the …show more content…
One thing both civilizations used their temples for was sacrifice. The sacrifices were human sacrifices to the gods. Depending on the civilization the temple is a part of, or the location of the temple decides how often the sacrifices have to be. Templo Mayor was a temple in Tenochtitlan, and the aztecs built it for the gods named Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc("Ancient Mayans: Temples for Everyone"). Huitzilopochtli was the god of sun and war, and Tlaloc was the god of rain and fertility("Ancient Mayans: Temples for Everyone"). These gods required sacrifices to be made. It was more common for Aztecs and Mayans to use prisoner sacrifices such as prisoners from war. Instead of killing the enemy on the battlefield, Aztec warrior injured the enemy and drag them back to their city so a sacrifice can be made at the