Aztec Artifacts
Artifact
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Explanation
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Comparison
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Calendrical Wheel
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This object shows the formidable knowledge the Aztecs had about astronomy. The calendar was used to calculate harvesting, planting, feasting and trading times through the use of the location of the stars, sun and moon. Not only was this artifact used for cultural purposes, but also for religious purposes. The Aztec year cycle lasted 52 years, so when the calendar ended, the Aztecs did what is called a New Fire Ceremony. During this ceremony, the Aztecs prayed for the sun to rise again, and when it did, sacrifices were made to thanks the gods for another 52 year cycle.
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Other civilizations, like the Mixtecs or the Mayas, also had complex calendars used for disparate purposes. For example, the Mixtecs had two calendars, one lasting 260 days and the other 365. The 365 day calendar was used for events and ceremonies, while the 260 day calendar was used to count the days.
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Eagle Warrior
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Warfare was a very important aspect in the Aztec civilization. Not only was every man supposed to fight, but warring was a way of social advancement. A mere laborer with superb fighting skills could climb up the social ladder and join the ranks of the Eagle or Jaguar Warriors. These elite warriors were feared by many, and one could join them after bringing back 6 captives and earning a battle dress.
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While most Mesoamerican civilizations warred and squabbled during the glory days, few cultures gave the importance the Aztecs gave to fighting. There are no other known elite warrior orders in the other civilizations. Fighting was not a way to become a noble in the other civilizations.
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Eagle
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The eagle, reigning the sky since the beginning of times. An important symbol in many cultures during many years, and the national bird of our beloved Mexico. Why is the eagle so important? It is not a common sight in Mexico, and many people have never seen or will never see one flying in the sky. The importance of the eagle in Mexico was not due to the romans, or the Vikings, but to the Aztecs. As the myth tells, the Aztecs, a roaming group of warriors, ceaselessly searched the land for a promised land, and they believed their promised land would be were an eagle was perched on top of a cactus feasting on a snake. And as the myth goes, they did find it and on that swampy land, established and built the magnificent city of Tenochtitlan.
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As far as I know, with the information I was given, the eagle was not a very important figure in other Mesoamerican civilizations. While their plume was maybe used as a decoration of headdresses or royal vestments, there is no singular importance to the eagle.
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The Mercury of the Mexicans
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The Aztecs were very religious and honored their deities with feasts and sacrifices. In this artifact, an offering to the god Quetzalcoatl is being depicted. Not only does this relate to religious aspects of the Aztec civilization, but also to the economic aspect. Quetzalcoatl, a god adopted by the Aztecs, was the patron of the merchants. Commerce, a holding pillar of any successful civilization, was working and flourishing for the Aztecs. There were local markets, which imply local trade, and long distance trade, carried out by the pochtecas.
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Commerce and religion was part of every Mesoamerican civilization, due to the fact that without them, a civilization is unlikely to flourish. The only difference in commerce between civilizations is the fact that each specialized in different products for the long-distance trade.
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Map of Tenochtitlan and the Gulf of Mexico
Click picture to enlarge.
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What is exploration without mapping what was previously ventured? The Spanish made a relatively inaccurate map of the Gulf of Mexico, and a detailed map of the grand Tenochtitlan. The Gulf of Mexico has naught to do with the Aztecs, but the map of their “capital” city is. The map, probably not drawn to scale, shows a myriad of small dwellings enveloping a square, where the important buildings of Tenochtitlan resided. Causeways lead out of the square, and cross large lakes that lead out of the central precinct of Tenochtitlan. For the Aztecs to build such a city, with complex drawbridges, grand pyramids, and decorative temples proves that they were not simple minded Indians who’s only worry was survival. The calculations, organization, and persistence needed to create such a complex metropolis, with such a collection of primitive tools, show the intelligence and creativity of the Aztecs.
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Honestly, I am revering the Aztecs for their genius in what they created, but it should not be forgotten that other civilizations made amazing establishments that still stand today. The pyramid of the niches, the pyramid of the sun, Palenque, and many more. The Mesoamerican civilizations were great architects, planners, artists, and each and every one of them left a fascinating legacy.
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