Final answer:
The large religious structures in the American Southwest are called kivas. They served as ceremonial centers for the Ancient Puebloan societies and symbolize a spiritual connection to the Earth for modern Pueblo peoples.
Step-by-step explanation:
The large community religious structures in the American Southwest are called kivas. Kivas were integral to the Ancient Puebloan societies such as the Anasazi, and served as ceremonial centers for religious rituals and civic community gatherings. These structures, typically circular in shape, were often built underground and entered from the roof via a ladder. The center of a kiva housed a small hole called a sipapu, which is symbolically significant to the Pueblo peoples, representing the navel of the Earth and the place of emergence of the ancestors.
Over time, the Ancient Puebloans developed complex settlements characterized by large, multi-room structures built of dried adobe clay and stone arranged around open plazas for community activities. These towns, carefully planned to meet the changing needs of society, evolved into architectural marvels like Pueblo Bonito, Cliff Palace, and Casas Grandes, featuring multi-storied buildings that provided defense and communal living spaces.