Conference proceeding
Echinoderm remains in the offerings of the great temple of the Aztecs
Echinoderms: Proceedings of the 12th International Echinoderm Conference, August 2006, Durham, New Hampshire, U. S. A, pp 77-79
01 Jan 2010
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Animal remains have been part of the archaeological discoveries around the world and are present in different cultures. In 1978, the ruins of the Aztec Great Temple were discovered beneath the central plaza of Mexico City. Over the next few decades, this sacred structure was excavated and studied, revealing a wealth of information about Aztec religious life. Five-hundred years ago, this multi-tiered pyramid marked the literal center of the Aztec universe. Here elaborate ceremonies were performed to maintain cosmic order and sustain the gods. Among the abundant offerings entombed in the foundations, the seventh constructive stage of the Great Temple (offerings No. 102 and 107) held the remains of complete tests and fragments of three species of echinoids: Echinometra vanbrunti, Clypeaster speciosus and Mellita sp. E. vanbrunti represent the most abundant echinoderm remain buried beneath the Great Temple. The remains are dated between the years 1502 to 1521 and were found at the deepest excavation level. Possible explanations on the origin and meaning of these offerings are given.
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Details
- Title
- Echinoderm remains in the offerings of the great temple of the Aztecs
- Creators
- Francisco A. Solis-Marin - Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Lab Sistemat & Ecol Equinodermos, ICML, Mexico City 04510, DF, MexicoAlfredo Laguarda-Figueras - Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Lab Sistemat & Ecol Equinodermos, ICML, Mexico City 04510, DF, MexicoAlejandra Martinez Melo - Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Lab Sistemat & Ecol Equinodermos, ICML, Mexico City 04510, DF, MexicoEthel V. Celaya Martinez - Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Lab Sistemat & Ecol Equinodermos, ICML, Mexico City 04510, DF, MexicoAdrian Velazquez Castro - Mexico Ctr Hist, Inst Nacl Antropol Hist, Museo Templo Mayor, Cuauhtemoc, MexicoJose A. Barrera Rivera - Mexico Ctr Hist, Inst Nacl Antropol Hist, Museo Templo Mayor, Cuauhtemoc, MexicoEmiliano Melgar Tisoc - Mexico Ctr Hist, Inst Nacl Antropol Hist, Museo Templo Mayor, Cuauhtemoc, MexicoFelipe Vazquez Gutierrez - Mexico Ctr Hist, Inst Nacl Antropol Hist, Museo Templo Mayor, Cuauhtemoc, MexicoNorma Valentin Maldonado - Subd Lab & Apoyo, Acad INAH, Lab Arqueol Ticul Alvarez Solorzano, Mexico City, DF, Mexico
- Contributors
- L G Harris (Editor)S A Bottger (Editor)C W Walker (Editor)M P Lesser (Editor)
- Publication Details
- Echinoderms: Proceedings of the 12th International Echinoderm Conference, August 2006, Durham, New Hampshire, U. S. A, pp 77-79
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- Number of pages
- 2
- Resource Type
- Conference proceeding
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Invertebrate Paleontology; Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000278474900014
- Other Identifier
- 991022048366404721
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- Web of Science research areas
- Marine & Freshwater Biology
- Zoology