New Section of Aztec Skull Tower Unearthed in Mexico City
TomoNews US
2020-12-16
Views 3.6K
MEXICO CITY — Mexican archaeologists have excavated more sections of the Aztec "tower of skulls" in the heart of Mexico City and unearthed an additional 119 skulls, authorities announced on Dec. 11.
Since 2015 more than 600 skulls have been unearthed at the site, according to the National Institute of Anthropology and History.
Reuters reports that the tower was approximately 5 meters, or 16.4 feet, in diameter, and is thought to have been part of the Huey Tzompantli, a huge palisade of skulls that 16th century Spanish conquistadors claimed to have seen in the ancient city of Tenochtitlan.
The tzompantli sat in front of the Templo Mayor and was flanked by two towers of mortared skulls, in the middle of a temple complex that was the spiritual and political heart of the Aztec capital.
In a statement released by the National Institute of Anthropology and History, Mexican Culture Minister Alejandra Frausto described the tower as one of the country's most impressive archaeological finds in recent years.
Since 2015 more than 600 skulls have been unearthed at the site, according to the National Institute of Anthropology and History.
Reuters reports that the tower was approximately 5 meters, or 16.4 feet, in diameter, and is thought to have been part of the Huey Tzompantli, a huge palisade of skulls that 16th century Spanish conquistadors claimed to have seen in the ancient city of Tenochtitlan.
The tzompantli sat in front of the Templo Mayor and was flanked by two towers of mortared skulls, in the middle of a temple complex that was the spiritual and political heart of the Aztec capital.
In a statement released by the National Institute of Anthropology and History, Mexican Culture Minister Alejandra Frausto described the tower as one of the country's most impressive archaeological finds in recent years.
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