MEXICO-ARCHAEOLOGY Archaeologists unearth Aztec skull trophy rack in heart of Mexico City
Record ID:
143291
MEXICO-ARCHAEOLOGY Archaeologists unearth Aztec skull trophy rack in heart of Mexico City
- Title: MEXICO-ARCHAEOLOGY Archaeologists unearth Aztec skull trophy rack in heart of Mexico City
- Date: 21st August 2015
- Summary: PRESENTATION OF IMAGE FROM SITE AT NEWS CONFERENCE MOCTEZUMA PRESENTING IMAGES AT NEWS CONFERENCE VARIOUS OF IMAGES FROM SITE PRESENTED AT NEWS CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 5th September 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Mexico
- Country: Mexico
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA52U290JITFO2K2QJTXB0C7MTB
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: In the heart of Mexico City's historic centre, archaeologists have unearthed a trophy rack for sacrificed human skulls in the capital's Templo Mayor Aztec complex.
According to officials, the platform known as "tzompantli" (sohm-PANT-lee) measures between six to eight metres (19 to 26 feet) and was used by the ancient Aztecs to display a rack of severed heads held together with a wooden pole.
A warlike and deeply religious people, the Aztecs used human skulls which were typically from war captives as a show of strength and symbolism.
"The tzompantli had a very specific symbolism. It was an indication, in a certain way, of Mexica power. Generally, the skulls of decapitations from several ceremonies would be exhibited in the tzompantli. Sometimes, these ceremonies also took place with Mexicas. Through studies, we are expected to detect that many of these skulls belong to enemies of the Mexicas, who were captured, sacrificed and who were decapitated in order to be displayed there," said archaeologist, Raul Barrera Rodriguez.
The "tzompantli" was found near the Templo Mayor, the largest and most important temple of the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan, which was used for religious ceremonies and human sacrifices.
The discovery could help archaeologists better map out the lost city of Tenochtitlan, razed by the Spanish in the 16th century after the Aztecs surrendered.
"The information we are obtaining now from these buildings is that, at least the Temple of Jeca (heh-KAH), the game of ball and the tzompantli, we know their correct location. We think that information is very relevant because it is showing us the relation that exists between those buildings and the Templo Mayor. We know the tzompantli has to be related to huitzilopochtli (wee-CHEE-loh-POHT-lee) and with the game of ball," said archaeologist, Eduardo Matos Moctezuma.
The Aztecs, a warlike and deeply religious people who built monumental works, ruled an empire stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean, encompassing much of modern-day central Mexico.
Their often bloody reign began in the 14th century and ended when they were subjugated in 1521 by the Spanish led by Hernan Cortes. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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