9781422286845

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Architecture A rchitecture, the art or science of building, has a long history in Mexico that began with the civilizations who lived in this land long before the Spaniards came. The architecture of these ancient societies—the Olmecs, the Mayans, and the Aztecs—influenced today’s Mexican buildings. The culture of the Olmecs was one of the oldest, dating from around 1150 to 400 B . C . Although the Olmecs left no evidence that they built any great cities, they did leave the remains of their ceremonial centers. Archaeologists now believe that these were lively settlements where artists, farmers, priests, and rulers once lived. One important feature of these centers was their system of stone aqueducts that provided drinking water to the various areas of each settlement. Another very important architectural structure in this pre-Hispanic period was the pyramid. The Olmecs built pyramids in the shape of volcanoes, perhaps imitating the two huge volcanoes that overshadowed central Mexico. Although no one is certain what these pyramids were used for, they were usually part of a complex of buildings used for religious ceremonies. At one Olmec site called La Venta stands a pyramid built of packed clay over

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