Final answer:
The term for a non-religious semi-subterranean structure used by the Pueblo peoples is a 'kiva,' serving both as a living space and for ceremonial purposes, and is distinct from religious sanctuaries such as churches or temples.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term for a non-religious semi-subterranean structure is kiva. Kivas are circular, subterranean rooms that were used as living spaces and later developed for ceremonial purposes by the Pueblo peoples of the American Southwest. The word kiva comes from the Hopi language, and these rooms were typically integrated into the larger complexes of Puebloan cliff dwellings, such as those seen at Mesa Verde. Unlike spelaea in the Mithraic tradition, which are artificial caves constructed as religious sanctuaries, kivas served a variety of community purposes. The features of a kiva often include a firepit, a ventilation shaft, and a sipapu, which is a small ceremonial hole signifying the portal through which ancestral spirits can enter.
While these structures are inherently linked to the religious practices of the Pueblo peoples, they are not considered sacred in the context of global architecture and other religious practices, where structures like churches, mosques, or temples serve the primary function of facilitating worship. Nonetheless, they offer invaluable insight into the social and ceremonial lives of the Indigenous peoples of the Southwest.