The Aztec Wooden Slit-Drum was called a teponaztli, in the langauge of Nahuatl, which was the language used by the Mexica. The drum was constucted out of carved wood, and has a hollowed out centre. The drum is carved in a specific way with two tongues on each side which when hit correctly produces different tones. These drums were often carved to represent human or animal figures. It is thought that the Teponaztli dates back to before Mexica times as the exact origin of the instrument is unknown.
The Aztec Stone Kneeling Figure of Chalchiuhtlicue, is a representation of the goddess of water, known as Chalchiuhtlicue, meaning 'she of the jade skirt' in the language of Nahuatl, which was the spoken language of the Mexica. Spring water, lakes, rivers and birth was associated with Chalchiuhtlicue. In the Mexica myths dealing with the creation of the world, the goddess of water, was said to have ruled over the fourth world (the world before this one) which was destroyed by flooding and the people were believed to have been turned into fish. The Aztec Stone Kneeling Figure of Chalchiuhtlicue forms part of the Bullock Collection of Mexica artefacts.
The Aztec masks of Xipe Totec are representations of the Mexica god of fertility, Xipe Totec. These masks are thought not to be authentic Mexica art as iconographic studies have shown that the masks hold different iconography. Such as the masks having three hands holding objects like a spear, shield and trophy. This is not insync with authentic Mexica representations of Xipe Totec as the god of fertility is usually represented with two hands which are never dipicted holding objects, but rather the hands are shown wearing flayed human skin. It is suggested that these masks were actually made in the 19th century by collectors and museums based on the style of Mexica art.
One of the most fascinating cities in history (and you can watch our video interview with John Julius Norwich to find out about other great cities in history) is Chichen Itza, which was built by the Mayans between the 7th and 10th centuries AD. The settlement here in what is a dry and arid region is down to the discovery of two cenotes - large, natural sinkholes which lead to an abundant supply of freshwater. This laid the basis for agricultural development, and in time the city would grow to become a political, cultural and trading powerhouse which dominated the region.
The Great Pyramid of Cholula (also known as Tlachihualtepetl – "artificial mountain" in Nahuatl) is a giant pre-Columbian Mesoamerican monument, situated in the ancient settlement of Cholula, near modern Puebla in Mexico. It is the largest pyramid in the world by volume. With a base of 202,500 square metres and a height of 66 metres, it boasts a total estimated volume of over 4.45 million cubic metres – almost twice the volume of its nearest rival, the Great Pyramid of Giza.
It was dedicated to the "feathered-serpent" deity Quetzalcoatl. The Aztecs thought it to have been built by Xelhua, one of the seven giants in Aztec mythology. It is fairly obscure as pre-Columbian monuments in South America go, because relatively little major archaeological investigation or restoration of the site has been carried out, but for the excavation of about five miles (8 km) of tunnels inside. This is because the the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios (Church of Our Lady of the Remedies) sits on top of the pyramid – an important Catholic pilgrimage destination, built by the Colonial Spanish in 1594. It's a protected colonial monument.
Submitted by Sean Williams on Wed, 11/04/2009 - 10:02
Archaeologists exploring the lost Maya city of El Mirador claim they've found the world's biggest pyramid. The massive structure, called La Danta (The Tapir), may have its summit hidden beneath Guatemala's jungle canopy. Yet its volume is reckoned to be larger than that of the Great Pyramid of Khufu in Egypt's Giza Plateau. The city itself, dubbed the 'Maya Cradle of Civilization', is the size of a modern metropolis; bigger than downtown Los Angeles. And experts believe there are thousands more pyramids yet to be found.
Kiuic (meaning 'gathering place' in Mayan) is a biological reserve and former Maya city located in the Puuc (hilly) region of Yucatan state, Mexico, around 30 miles from the state capital Mérida. It has been mooted as one of the keys to potentially unlocking the secrets of the Maya collapse, for it holds material evidence for a massive exodus around a thousand years ago. Its jungly surroundings were thought to have been empty of human history until 2009, when a national archaeological team uncovered two pyramids and nine palaces. Also found were many tools and everyday items, such as corn-grinding stones, or metates.
Many experts have pointed to Kiuic as a perfect example of the sudden demise of the Maya culture, dubbing it a 'Maya Pompeii'. Many weapons and tools appear to have been downed on the spot, as locals fled for the Yucatan peninsula's northern coasts. Its pyramids are in excellent condition, albeit having been taken over by the rainforest, and the area is gathering pace as a tourist destination, both for its Maya history and for the vast biological diversity present. The Kaxil Kiuic Research and Education Centre takes small groups around the region regularly.
