Discover 4

April 2018^ DISCOVER^17

SKULL TOWER
Between 2015 and
2017, archaeologists
excavated a tower,
nearly 20 feet in
diameter, made from
more than 650 human
skulls. The sacrificial
victims — men, women
and children — have
gaping holes above
their ears, suggesting
the severed heads
were strung on a rack
for public display before
being permanently
encased in the
tower. Colonial-era
manuscripts depict a
skull rack at Templo
Mayor, but this is the first
bone-a fide evidence.

GIFTS TO THE GODS
According to Aztec
beliefs, gods suffered
to create life and had
to be repaid. Aztec
priests hid divine
offerings under floors,
in caches systematically
positioned along
horizontal and vertical
axes that placed Templo
Mayor as the center of
the universe. The gifts
included luxury goods from
across the empire, artifacts
from earlier civilizations and the
remains of thousands of humans
and animals — many sacrificed atop the
pyramid during lavish ceremonies.

FAST FACTS

1978

Accidental discovery by utilities workers kicks off

modern excavations.

TIME PERIOD OF SITE

1325-1521, during the rule of the Mexica Aztec.

BUILT BY

The Mexica, the ethnic group that ruled the Aztec Empire —

itself a coalition of peoples across Central America from the

mid-1300s until the Spanish conquest began in 1519.

LOCATION

Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan, present-day

Mexico City.

EXCAVATIONS LED BY

Mexico’s National Institute of

Anthropology and History.

V

V

OPPOSITE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: DEA PICTURE LIBRARY/DE AGOSTINI/GETTY IMAGES; ROGER CRACKNELL/CLASSIC/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO; MIGUEL A

NGEL ALVAREZ BERNARDO/FLICKR;

KENNETH GARRETT/NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE/GETTY IMAGES. THIS PAGE, FROM TOP: HENRY ROMERO/REUTERS; JÉSUS LOPÉZ; HENRY ROMERO

Left: The richest yet discovered, /REUTERS (2)

this cache held more than 12,

objects, including basalt figurines,

sawfish and feline bones. Above:

A roughly 8-month-old wolf, found

in 2017, was adorned with a belt

of ocean shells and more than 20

gold ornaments, including pendants,

a nose ring and a chest plate.

Above: More than

650 skulls, caked

in lime, awaited

researchers in a

tower near Templo

Mayor. Right:

The Aztec would

sacrifice victims

and put their skulls

on display.

800-529-

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