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Mesoamerican Monuments/Artifacts/Landmarks
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Mesoamerican History
Monuments/Artifacts/Landmarks
Mayans and Aztecs
Both the Mayans and the Aztecs were Mesoamerican civilizations, and they had a lot in common. It is believed both cultures were influenced from the Olmecs who were the first great Mesoamerican civilization.
Of the Mayans and Aztecs
Man-made Monuments of Mesoamerica
MONUMENTS
Pyramid of the Sun in the City of Teotihuacen
Teotihuacan was the largest city in the Americas, considered as the first advanced civilization on the North American continent, with a population estimated at 125,000 or more. It contains features of various cultures including the Mayan, Aztec, Zapotec, and Mixtec.
El Castillo in the City of Chichen Itza
Constructed by the Mayans sometime between the 8th and 12th centuries AD. The location of the temple within the site sits directly above a cenote. Some cenotes were believed to be portals to the underworld which is why they would build temples on top of them.
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teotihuacan, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Castillo,_Chichen_Itza
The Rubber Ball Game
Mayan City of Chichen Itza's Ball Court
Both the Mayans and the Aztecs played a rubber ball game. It is also believed they were the first civilization to invent rubber balls.
Rubber Ball and Manopla
ARTIFACTS
This ball game was to be played without using the hands or feet. The manopla or handstone was a device used to hit the rubber ball.
Aztec City of Xochicalco's Ball Court
Sources:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesoamerican_rubber_balls, https://www.worldhistory.org/image/1427/goal-ball-court-of-chichen-itza/
Obsidian in Mesoameria
Obsidian Knife
Obsidian is a dark volcanic glass which provides the sharpest cutting edge available in nature. Ancient Mesoamerican cultures greatly esteemed the properties of obsidian, and it was widely traded across the region. Obsidian was used to create tools, weapons, and when polished, for mirrors and as a decorative inlay in anything from jewellery to ritual masks.
MORE ARTIFACTS. . .
Maquahuitl
A wooden club with several embedded obsidian blades. No actual maquahuitl weapons from this time period remain the last one was burned in a fire in 1884.
Obsidian Mirror
Mirrors were not just objects used to reflect one’s appearance. Instead, mirrors were seen as portals to the spirit world and were used in religious ceremonies and rituals.
Drawing from the catalog of the royal armoury of madrid by Achille Jubinal
Sources:https://www.worldhistory.org/article/2060/obsidian-in-mesoamerica/, https://covenantarthistory.blogspot.com/2019/04/mayans-magic-mirrors-mayan-art-has.html
Natural Landmarks
Hierve el Agua The Petrified Waterfalls
Las Coloradas or the pink lakes, which was then called in Mayan “Emal”, was where large quantities of salt were harvested.
LANDMARKS
Ik Kil Cenote Located near Chichen Itza was considered a sacred place by the Mayans.
This site was sacred to Zapotec indians. Zapotec artisans were known to fashion jewelry for the Aztec rulers.
Source: https://www.boundlessroads.com/most-complete-guide-to-las-coloradas-yucatan/, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zapotec_civilization