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Discovered Monolith May Hide Burial Site of Aztec Ruler
The recently excavated monolith may be the tomb of Ahuízotl, the eighth Aztec Tlatoani.
By HISI Staff Writers
BARRIOZONA
November 20, 2006
Mexico City, Mexico.― 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
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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.
Copyright © 2006 Hispanic Institute of Social Issues
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