Mexico City “Superfund”: Significant Aztec Offerings Discovered

Archaeologists have discovered a significant supply of 15 green stone sculptures in the former Great Temple of the Aztecs in Mexico City. Earrings, stone beads, shells, snails, coral and sea sand were also found in a stone container, the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) said Friday (local time). The head of the excavation project, Leonardo López Luján, spoke of an archaeological “super find”.

The so-called Sacrifice 186, which was located under the platform at the rear facade of the Templo Mayor, dates from the time of ruler Moctezuma I (1440-1469). The statues are probably much older, informed the INAH.

The team led by archaeologist López Luján found a total of fourteen male sculptures measuring up to 30 centimeters and one female figure measuring three centimeters. In addition, more than 1900 sea objects and 137 green stone beads have been found.

Today’s mega metropolis Mexico City was once the capital of the Aztec empire Tenochtitlan (1325-1521). The main temple was the religious center of Tenochtitlan – a city that, with 200,000 inhabitants, was one of the largest in the world at the time. The temple was expanded in several stages until it was destroyed by the Spanish conquerors.

Under the platform’s monumental snake heads, the researchers had already found other offerings during excavations. The work must now be expanded. (saw/sda/dpa)