Thousands of Aztec offerings found below Mexico City
STORY: Thousands of Aztec ritual offerings have
been discovered beneath Mexico City
off the steps of a temple that would have been the empire's holiest shrine
The findings provide new insight into Aztec
religious traditions and political propaganda
The offerings were sealed five centuries ago into stone boxes
They included starfish, coral, spears, an eagle, and
a sacrificed jaguar with copper bells tied to its ankles
(Leonardo Lopez Lujan, Lead Archaeologist)
“They sacrificed these super-predators, dressed them all up as warriors, put weapons on them, put military-related insignia on them, and then buried them in big public ceremonies probably witnessed by thousands of people. They buried them here at the foot of the main temple."
Researchers believe there is a precious
artifact hidden underneath the jaguar
But it will take at least another year of digging to uncover it