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aztec 1300-1520    Aztecs were located in Mexico but for the sake of this webpage (Aztec architecture is similiar to Inca and Mayan architecture) it is grouped under the South America continent.   The capital of the Aztec Empire was Tenochtitlan (pictured)        Aztecs strongly believed in sacrificing people to please the gods and great temples were created for this purpose.   Computer modeling is used to study form and design. (right)   Shrines were built to honor gods and to make offerings.  This building had a large rectangular room, which then lead into a circular room.   Each room had a fire in the center that was used to burn offerings. Inside of the rectangular room, there were tables where more offerings could be placed. The roof for the rectangular part of the shrine was made of packed earth. The circular parts of the shrine had thatched roofs.