Mesoamerican pyramids
pyramid-shaped structure in ancient Mesoamerica
Mesoamerican pyramids form a prominent part of ancient Mesoamerican architecture. Although similar in some ways to Egyptian pyramids, these structures have flat tops (many with temples on the top) and stairs ascending their faces, more similar to ancient Mesopotamian Ziggurats. Most pyramids had square bases, but there were also pyramids of other shapes, including rounded ones. The largest pyramid in the world by volume is the Great Pyramid of Cholula, in the east-central Mexican state of Puebla. The builders of certain classic Mesoamerican pyramids have decorated them copiously with stories about the Hero Twins, the feathered serpent Quetzalcoatl, Mesoamerican creation myths, ritualistic sacrifice, etc. written in the form of Maya script on the rises of the steps of the pyramids, on the walls, and on the sculptures contained within.
Aztec pyramids
The Aztecs dominated central Mexico in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. Their capital was Tenochtitlan on the shore of Lake Texcoco – the site of modern-day Mexico City. They were related to the preceding cultures in the basin of Mexico such as the culture of Teotihuacan whose building style they adopted and adapted. Sites involving Aztec pyramids include:
El Tepozteco
Malinalco
Santa Cecilia Acatitlan
Templo Mayor
Tenayuca
Tenochtitlan
Maya pyramids
The Maya are a people of southern Mexico and northern Central America (Guatemala, Belize, western Honduras, and El Salvador).
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