Discovered Monolith May Hide Burial
Site of Aztec Ruler
Site of Aztec Ruler
The recently excavated monolith may be the tomb of Ahuízotl, the eighth
Aztec Tlatoani.
Aztec Tlatoani.
By HISI's Staff Writers Photos of the Great Temple
November 20, 2006 - The recently excavated monolith discovered next to
the archeological zone of the Templo Mayor or Great Temple − in an
adjacent lot known as “Casa de las Ajaracas” − could be, according to
the observations of Mexican archeologists, a headstone honoring the
burial site of Ahuízotl (ah-we-sut'-l), an Aztec tlatoani or ruler.
Professor Eduardo Matos Moctezuma and Doctor Leonardo López Luján,
informed that based on their analysis and interpretation, the
monumental stone discovered on October 2, represents without a doubt,
the Tlaltecuhtli (tlal-te-Kwa-tlee) god/goddess of the Earth in Aztec
mythology. This deity had two aspects: female and male.
Matos Moctezuma reported that in the case of the unearthed monolith, it
presents the female aspect of the idol; the carving features include a
short skirt with shapes of skulls and bones crossed, in addition to
displaying a dorsal ornament with stripes and snails, an exclusive
feature of female goddesses related to the earth and the night. The
deity represented in the stone also has unique elements, such as skulls
on the elbows and knees, as well as paper flags on the hair, symbols of
death and sacrifice respectively.
Doctor Matos Moctezuma, an authoritative scholar and renowned
Mexican archeologist, stated that due to the continuity of the
archeological work, he does not rule out that team assigned to this
project will find the ashes of the Mexica (may-SHEE-kah) ruler. If Ahuízotl’
s remains are found buried beneath the headstone, it would be the first
burial site ever found of a leader of the 1427-1521 Aztec empire. He
explained that deceased tlatoanis or Aztec rulers, were incinerated in a
big pyre at the feet of the Great Temple − the Aztecs' main religious site
− and then placed their ashes in a jar. The examination conducted by
Matos Moctezuma suggests a strong possibility that this site may be
where Ahuízotl was laid to rest.
According to historical records, Ahuízotl was the eighth Mexica ruler
(Hueyi Tlatoani) of the city of Tenochtitlán (teh-noach-TEE-tlahn).
Records indicate Ahuízotl was responsible for much of the expansion of
Aztec domain. It’s said that he more than doubled the size of lands
under Aztec empire. He is considered to have been the greatest known
military leader of Mesoamerica before the arriving of Columbus to
America.
This Mexica ruler was able to conquer the Mixtec, Zapotec and other
tribes along Mexico’s pacific coast, extending through Guatemala.
Ahuízotl oversaw major rebuilding of the city, including the expansion of
the Great Temple. Sources point out that about 20,000 people were
sacrificed for the dedication of these works in the temple.
The city’s expansion brought not only days of glory to Ahuízotl’s empire,
but also the city's growing need for water, and indirectly, his own death.
In 1499, a new aqueduct ordered by Ahuízotl was opened into the city
from the southwesterly precinct of Coyoacán. The whole project was
developed against the advice of some of the earlier residents of the
district.
The Aztecs soon realized their mistake, when they found that the volume
of water they had directed into their city was far too great to be
managed and contained. Consequently, lake levels were seriously
disturbed and the Aztec capital was flooded, apparently with a
considerable loss of life. In fact, Ahuízotl himself was injured during the
inundation, and after a lingering illness passed away in 1502. He had
ruled the Aztec empire since 1846.
But how archeologists have determined the possibility that the monolith
may be the headstone of Ahuízotl? First, Álvaro Barrera Rivera,
supervisor of the Urban Archeology Program of the Templo Mayor
Project, pointed out that this archeological piece, carved on pink
andesite (rough volcanic rock,) a symbol can be observed on one of the
claws of the Aztec goddess, located on the right side of the
representation.
The carved symbol shows a calendar date that well could be 10-Rabbit
or 2-Rabbit. Regarding these dates, Matos Moctezuma explained that
the first one points out to the year when Ahuízotl died, since it
corresponds to 1502 A.D., while the second calendar date is the name of
god of pulque (the most common alcoholic beverage made from the
fermented juice of the maguey,) and it has to do with this case, since
there is a connection between the drink and the end of the ruling period
of Ahuízotl.
Another symbolism that may shed light on why archeologists believe this
may be the burial site of the eighth Aztec tlatoani, is the fact that both
the number 2 and 10 share the head of the rabbit, which leads to
another reading: 12-Rabbit. This coincides with the year 1478 A.D., when
according to historical data there was an eclipse. The Mexicas
interpreted the eclipse as the “sun being eaten” and “when the tzizime
stars appeared.” The occurrence of the eclipse was symbolically related
to the death of the solar king.
Because of this data, and other findings that are currently being
analyzed, Matos Moctezuma believes hypothetically that the monolith
found in the lot of Ajaracas’ house may be the burial site of Ahuízotl, who
in his capacity of solar king, descended to Mictlan − the Aztec underworld
− where he transmitted power to his successor, Moctezuma II.
He added that the monolith was found in its original position, between
the Templo Mayor and the Tzompantli − the platform of skulls − in a site
that would be next to the building called Cuauhxicalco, where −
according to some sources − the ashes of the Mexica rulers Axayácatl y
Tízoc were placed. It is also indicated that the remains of Ahuízotl were
buried next to this building. Other chroniclers corroborate that burying of
some tlatoanis were made near the platform of skulls
NOTE: This article was prepared using information provided by Sam L. Bravo from
the INAH Media Department, as well as other sources such as magazines and
books from the author’s personal library. HISI and BARRIOZONA are grateful to
the INAH and its staff for the valuable assistance received.
The work to rescue the monolith, in charge of the Urban Archeology Program, is
being conducted by archeologists Alicia Islas Domínguez, Gabino López Arenas,
Alberto Diez Barroso y Ulises Lina Hernández, and it includes a interdisciplinary
team formed by biologists, geologists, restorers, topographers, artists, physical
anthropologist, and of course, archeologists. Contributing to this work also are
Alfredo López Austin y Leonardo López Luján
the archeological zone of the Templo Mayor or Great Temple − in an
adjacent lot known as “Casa de las Ajaracas” − could be, according to
the observations of Mexican archeologists, a headstone honoring the
burial site of Ahuízotl (ah-we-sut'-l), an Aztec tlatoani or ruler.
Professor Eduardo Matos Moctezuma and Doctor Leonardo López Luján,
informed that based on their analysis and interpretation, the
monumental stone discovered on October 2, represents without a doubt,
the Tlaltecuhtli (tlal-te-Kwa-tlee) god/goddess of the Earth in Aztec
mythology. This deity had two aspects: female and male.
Matos Moctezuma reported that in the case of the unearthed monolith, it
presents the female aspect of the idol; the carving features include a
short skirt with shapes of skulls and bones crossed, in addition to
displaying a dorsal ornament with stripes and snails, an exclusive
feature of female goddesses related to the earth and the night. The
deity represented in the stone also has unique elements, such as skulls
on the elbows and knees, as well as paper flags on the hair, symbols of
death and sacrifice respectively.
Doctor Matos Moctezuma, an authoritative scholar and renowned
Mexican archeologist, stated that due to the continuity of the
archeological work, he does not rule out that team assigned to this
project will find the ashes of the Mexica (may-SHEE-kah) ruler. If Ahuízotl’
s remains are found buried beneath the headstone, it would be the first
burial site ever found of a leader of the 1427-1521 Aztec empire. He
explained that deceased tlatoanis or Aztec rulers, were incinerated in a
big pyre at the feet of the Great Temple − the Aztecs' main religious site
− and then placed their ashes in a jar. The examination conducted by
Matos Moctezuma suggests a strong possibility that this site may be
where Ahuízotl was laid to rest.
According to historical records, Ahuízotl was the eighth Mexica ruler
(Hueyi Tlatoani) of the city of Tenochtitlán (teh-noach-TEE-tlahn).
Records indicate Ahuízotl was responsible for much of the expansion of
Aztec domain. It’s said that he more than doubled the size of lands
under Aztec empire. He is considered to have been the greatest known
military leader of Mesoamerica before the arriving of Columbus to
America.
This Mexica ruler was able to conquer the Mixtec, Zapotec and other
tribes along Mexico’s pacific coast, extending through Guatemala.
Ahuízotl oversaw major rebuilding of the city, including the expansion of
the Great Temple. Sources point out that about 20,000 people were
sacrificed for the dedication of these works in the temple.
The city’s expansion brought not only days of glory to Ahuízotl’s empire,
but also the city's growing need for water, and indirectly, his own death.
In 1499, a new aqueduct ordered by Ahuízotl was opened into the city
from the southwesterly precinct of Coyoacán. The whole project was
developed against the advice of some of the earlier residents of the
district.
The Aztecs soon realized their mistake, when they found that the volume
of water they had directed into their city was far too great to be
managed and contained. Consequently, lake levels were seriously
disturbed and the Aztec capital was flooded, apparently with a
considerable loss of life. In fact, Ahuízotl himself was injured during the
inundation, and after a lingering illness passed away in 1502. He had
ruled the Aztec empire since 1846.
But how archeologists have determined the possibility that the monolith
may be the headstone of Ahuízotl? First, Álvaro Barrera Rivera,
supervisor of the Urban Archeology Program of the Templo Mayor
Project, pointed out that this archeological piece, carved on pink
andesite (rough volcanic rock,) a symbol can be observed on one of the
claws of the Aztec goddess, located on the right side of the
representation.
The carved symbol shows a calendar date that well could be 10-Rabbit
or 2-Rabbit. Regarding these dates, Matos Moctezuma explained that
the first one points out to the year when Ahuízotl died, since it
corresponds to 1502 A.D., while the second calendar date is the name of
god of pulque (the most common alcoholic beverage made from the
fermented juice of the maguey,) and it has to do with this case, since
there is a connection between the drink and the end of the ruling period
of Ahuízotl.
Another symbolism that may shed light on why archeologists believe this
may be the burial site of the eighth Aztec tlatoani, is the fact that both
the number 2 and 10 share the head of the rabbit, which leads to
another reading: 12-Rabbit. This coincides with the year 1478 A.D., when
according to historical data there was an eclipse. The Mexicas
interpreted the eclipse as the “sun being eaten” and “when the tzizime
stars appeared.” The occurrence of the eclipse was symbolically related
to the death of the solar king.
Because of this data, and other findings that are currently being
analyzed, Matos Moctezuma believes hypothetically that the monolith
found in the lot of Ajaracas’ house may be the burial site of Ahuízotl, who
in his capacity of solar king, descended to Mictlan − the Aztec underworld
− where he transmitted power to his successor, Moctezuma II.
He added that the monolith was found in its original position, between
the Templo Mayor and the Tzompantli − the platform of skulls − in a site
that would be next to the building called Cuauhxicalco, where −
according to some sources − the ashes of the Mexica rulers Axayácatl y
Tízoc were placed. It is also indicated that the remains of Ahuízotl were
buried next to this building. Other chroniclers corroborate that burying of
some tlatoanis were made near the platform of skulls
NOTE: This article was prepared using information provided by Sam L. Bravo from
the INAH Media Department, as well as other sources such as magazines and
books from the author’s personal library. HISI and BARRIOZONA are grateful to
the INAH and its staff for the valuable assistance received.
The work to rescue the monolith, in charge of the Urban Archeology Program, is
being conducted by archeologists Alicia Islas Domínguez, Gabino López Arenas,
Alberto Diez Barroso y Ulises Lina Hernández, and it includes a interdisciplinary
team formed by biologists, geologists, restorers, topographers, artists, physical
anthropologist, and of course, archeologists. Contributing to this work also are
Alfredo López Austin y Leonardo López Luján
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