Aztec Artifacts
In what ways does Aztec culture survive today?
THE AZTEC SEWAGE SYSTEM
The Aztecs had quite advanced engineers at the time. Their sewage systems used the same basic principles that septic tanks use today. The solid waste was separated from liquid waste then allowed to settle for a few months before being used as fertilizer for the Aztecs chinampas. The liquid waste was filtered through gravel, soil and sand then the remaining water was reused. Some of the sewage tunnels measured 20 feet wide.http://www.mexicauprising.net/xochimilcosewagebacteria.html |
SUN STONE
The Aztec Sun Stone was a magnificent calendar system engraved into stone. The stone had two calendar systems running around it, one being a 260 day ritual cycle and the other a 365 day solar calendar. The ritual calendar contained 20 months of 13 day, each ruled by a God. The solar cycle had 18 months of 20 days each. This same calendar system is the foundation of the calendars we use today. Although one of the cycles on this rock was very religious and linked to Aztec society the other system contained a 365 day solar cycle such as the one in modern day use. http://www.crystalinks.com/aztecalendar.html |
In what ways did factors such as technology and disease contribute to the dominance of the Spanish over the Aztecs?
Aztec Warrior Armor
The Aztec's armor was the kind of technology that was built on values, not function. The Aztec armor was based more on religion than on safety. They often dressed as eagles or jaguars. For an eagle, the Aztecs would wear eagle feathers and a helmet made in the shape of an eagle head. They could see out of the open beak. Eagles are symbolic in the Aztec religion as the symbol of the sun. They represented continuous warfare that was for sacrifices. The jaguars wore armor made from the pelts of jaguars/pumas and represented the god of night. The Aztecs also wore light, cotton vests about 2 fingers thick. The jaguars represented fierce beasts that were extremely territorial, similar to the Aztec;s behavior. Unfortunatley, the armor wasn't much of a defense against the Spanish weaponry. They armor was resistant to arrows and obsidian swords, but were not of much use against the Spanish guns. This uniform was not a total loss on defense however. The Aztecs also had small round shields, called chimalli, made of wood and twisted fibers. This was their main defense, as the ammunition used by the Spanish could not penetrate the shields. |
Sacrificial Knife
This knife had high value in the Aztec society. In our eyes these rituals seemed strange, but to them it was what the Gods wanted. The Aztecs would slice someone in the chest and pull out their still pumping heart to the skies, using this very knife. Designed with turquoises which was rare, giving its significant use to preform sacrifices to fulfill the desires of the bloodthirsty gods. Many of the Aztecs inventions and technologies were mainly used to benefit their society. Such as, the sewage system, aqueducts, and chinampas. Before the Spanish ever came the Aztec peoples' worldview was set on building an empire in their own land, the Aztecs' knowledge did not go past the sea. When the Spanish arrived with weapons such as guns and disease the Aztecs stood no chance. Even this one knife is used for only holy purposes. http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/aoa/k/knife_with_a_mosaic_handle.aspx |
To what extent were the divergent world views of the Spanish and the Aztecs factors in the dominance of one nation over the other?
MOCTEZUMA'S THRONE:
Moctezuma's throne is a famous Aztec artifact that commemorates the New Fire Ceremony of 1507. The throne has intricate carvings that reflect the Aztec's worldview. On the back of the throne, there is an eagle standing on a cactus that grows from the body of a goddess with lines that look like water. This was seen as an elaborate version of the name glyph for Tenochtitlan. The carvings also show how important geography was to the Aztecs' worldview as they show the founding of Tenochtitlan. On the backrest, there is a sun disk with the four movements of the glyph inside it. It is flanked by the god Huitzilopochtli on the left and Moctezuma on the right. Both are wearing clothing and carry a pointed bone for drawing blood in one hand and a sacrificial knife in the other. On top of the backrest, there is a grass ball which is used for sacrifice where they put the thorns used for drawing blood. This is flanked by 2 torches decorated with paper like the ones used in the New Fire Ceremony. The lower half of the throne is covered with images of death. On the seat, below the sun disk is the earth monster that has a skull on his belt. Beside it are emblems of war, like spears, shields and war banner. On the sides of the throne, there is a pair of seated figures with skeletal jaws dressed in loincloths and feather headdresses. The carvings on the throne represent things that are important to Aztec culture, because they are forever engraved on one of the most important religious symbols where the most important leader sat. |
Royal Aztec Crypt
This crypt was discovered by archaeologist, this was the first tomb of an Aztec ruler. The ruler inside was believed to be Emperor Ahuizotl. Spanish priest said that the land this was found in was used to cremate rulers. The Aztecs looked up to their leaders, but there was something much more powerful. The Aztec Gods, the whole Aztec society was basically based around fulfilling the needs of the God, the only reason that the Aztecs moved to Tenochtitlan was because of the gods. Looking up to bloodthirsty Gods effected how the Aztecs live, such as tearing the heart of an innocent man out in the name of the Gods. On the other hand the Spain had much different beliefs in the church and with one God. The Aztecs being very connected and strict about their religion made them very attached to their land, with Spain not being so linked they were able to adapt and explore. In the conflict between the two nations Aztecs were on defense, protecting the land they would not give up for the strict worldview of the Gods control. http://www.nbcnews.com/id/20110418/ns/technology_and_science-science/t/royal-aztec-crypt-wows-archaeologists/#.UyijD6DN7ww |
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