The Aztec skull tower

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Hi! šŸ‘‹ I’m sure that each of you has heard of the Aztecs, the Indian people who once inhabited the areas of modern Mexico. You have probably also heard about the fact that in order to please their gods they often performed human sacrifices. However, a recent discovery, which was made in the very center of Mexico City, cast doubt on traditional readings of Aztec history... 

In recent days, Mexican archaeologists have made a spine-chilling discovery! Under the Metropolitan Cathedral (built over the ruins of the most important Aztec sacral building – Tempolo Mayor) they unearthed over 100 human skulls (!) that form one huge tower. According to scientists, it is a part of the Huey Tzompantli, a wooden structure made of sacrificial skulls which was dedicated to the Aztec god of war and sun – Huitzilopochtli.


It is worth noting that the tower (measuring about 5 meters in diameter) was first discovered 5 years ago during the renovation of a building in the Mexican capital. So why is it said that this excavation is so important if it isn’t even new? Let me explain šŸ˜‰ This is crucial because until now it was believed that the Aztecs made sacrifices only of men, and more specifically of young and strong warriors. However, as it results from the research carried out on recently unearthed skulls, among the victims were also children and women… This discovery surprised even archaeologists.

“We were expecting just men, obviously young men, as warriors would be, and the thing about the women and children is that you'd think they wouldn't be going to war.Something is happening that we have no record of, and this is really new, a first in the Huey Tzompantli.” – Rodrigo Bolanos, a biological anthropologist investigating the find.

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I’m curious if the photos of these skulls make such an impression on you as they do on me. If you want to read more about it, here are some useful links:





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