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Spear of the Aztecs

Eddie Montezuma — Wed, 16 May 2012 09:27:29 +0000

I’ve generally been intriguing on ancient history and the Machiavellian intrigues they got up to. Who would have believed our forefathers were so vindictive and so vicious? Though I am extremely pleased, human kind has managed to drum a little bit of the viciousness out of our souls, it’s not actually astonishing we’re such a blood thirsty species when you look at the Aztecs.

The Aztecs! Really noble civilization if you could get around their bad practice of human sacrifices! But to let you know the truth that’s what captivated me to them in the first place. Ever think about how the Aztecs warriors were so powerful? As a result of their superb weapons! With these amazing innovations the Aztecs were able to conquer a large part of the ancient world and gather them to their rule. They then proceeded to terrify the subordinates by ripping hearts out of living people but that’s a different story. One of the most innovative of all Aztec weapons was the Aztec spear. These spears have still survived to the day and you may gawk at the couple of fantastic ones in some famous museum till today.

Atlatl – Aztec Spear

The spears had been so famous all around the ancient world as a result of the unique program that permitted the warriors to throw the spears for 100 meters and made them penetrate armors. The name of the throwing method was the atlatl. The atlatl was an crucial part of the Aztec warfare method and most Aztec young children and warriors had been trained to utilize these with lethal force.

So what precisely is an atlatl? It is a tool that utilizes leverage to assist the warrior throw spears with much greater speed. You could picture it like some type of sling that has a handle along with a cup where you put the end of the spear.

Aztec spear throwing device – atlatl

These Aztec weapons were the primary weapons utilised for the duration of Aztec warfare and they helped the warriors win numerous a war with them. In reality it was also dreaded by the conquering conquistadors who put on heavy armour to shield themselves.

The atlatl made the Aztec warriors very dreaded as with the atlatl they had been able to obtain a a lot superior velocity to their thrown spears. This made the spear move with a much much faster rate and penetrative power as compared to when being thrown with the hand by itself. These Aztec weapons typically consisted of a shaft along with a hook. The foot of the spear was inside the shaft of the atlatl. While working with the atlatl, the thrown spear was able to move more than a hundred meters and penetrate metal also. These incredible Aztec weapons easily penetrated the Spanish metal armor pining invading soldiers for the ground.

Later Advancements Of the Aztec Spear

Infact the style was so common that the Aztec warriors continued to improve the style for several years soon after wards with additions to the atlatl like thong loops to accommodate the fingers, the use of supple shafts to deliver balance, counter weights made of stone to balance out the throw, as well as thinner, extremely elastic darts instead of spears for added penetration. The darts looked like thin spears and penetrated more than 100 meters as a result of the lowered weight of the shaft.

The writer is interested in Aztec history and has a full site featuring the Aztecs. There you’ll be able to find details about Aztecs such as this article. For more of Aztec history, see aztec-history.net.

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Aztec Enemies

Eddie Montezuma — Mon, 07 May 2012 15:37:37 +0000

Growth, power and fame came hand in hand with making enemies when it comes to the Aztecs. The Aztecs took a lot of people from the neighboring weaker tribes to be sacrificed to their gods and that alone made them hated by the other tribes. So there was at no time any shortage of Aztec enemies. But since the Aztecs were a powerful lot and when it comes to skill they were unmatched; the other groups couldn’t take down the Aztecs.

Aztec Enemies

Texlacans

The Texlacans or the Tlaxcalans were amongst the major enemies of the Aztecs. They looked similar to the Aztecs and their only difference was their weapons, particularly the shield was different and they had no ranks like the jaguar or eagle elite warriors. They were also fierce but somehow the Aztecs always came out as the victor during battles except for one particular fight when the Spanish conquerors sided with the Texlacans.

Huaxtec

The Huaxtec were another tribe that was enemies with the Aztecs. Instead of the elaborate headgears and costumes, the significant or noticeable feature among the Huaxtec was that they wore pointed hats whenever they went to battle.

Purempecha

The Purempecha or the Tarascans lived to the west of the Aztecs and they were powerful too. They successfully managed to keep the Aztecs from expanding to the west and they were highly skilled warriors too just like the Aztecs. The Purempecha are now known as P’urhpecha.

Mayans

Another enemy of the Aztecs was the Mayans. The Mayans were highly skilled and were advanced too. They had a system of writing, had religious beliefs and built very impressive structures and some of those can still be seen today.

But the most significant enemy of the Aztecs was not among those found in the surrounding area of the valley, nor did they live in the same continent. These people were highly skilled, had far superior weapons than the Aztecs. They were the Spaniards; the conquistadors or the conquerors. Not only did they defeat the Aztecs and destroyed their empire, but they also defeated the Mayans.

Spanish conquistadors

Near the end of Montezuma the Second’s reign, at about 1520, thirty eight tributary provinces were already present and the Aztecs were flourishing. But with the help of the other tribes at the borders of the Aztec empire, (Texlacans, etc.) the Aztecs were easily defeated by the Spaniards. Spaniards not only wisely used other tribes for their war against Aztec but they also played the card of internal strife that was present among the Aztecs themselves.

With Hernan Cortes in the lead, the Aztecs were easily defeated, especially since the weapons of the Spaniards included superior swords, guns and even cannons. The Aztec weapons were all make by hand.

In addition to that, Montezuma II naively welcomed the Spaniards, thinking that Cortes was the fair-skinned god Quetzalcoatl (The Plumed Serpent). Even though the Aztecs gave the Spaniards lots of gold and other precious items, the Spaniards were set on conquering the Aztecs so in the end, Montezuma II was killed and most of the silver, gold and other such precious items of the Aztecs were shipped to Spain.

The writer is fond of Aztec history and has a full webpage featuring the Aztecs. There you’ll be able to find details about Aztecs such as enemies of the aztecs. For more of Aztec history, see aztec empire history.

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Aztec Warriors

Eddie Montezuma — Tue, 01 May 2012 17:07:41 +0000

Aztec warriors had been broken down into two categories, and these were commoners who had been given easy military training, and very experienced warriors who had been members of the nobility. The extremely skilled Aztec warriors had been regarded as Pipiltin, and they had been substantially smaller in number than the commoners who comprised the bulk of the army. The elite Aztec warriors had been positioned in ranks according to their ability, and with regards to the achievements they had made on the battleground. Like all empires, the Aztec Empire was continually in a state of growth, and so as to expand, combat was needed. By conquering nearby city states, the Aztecs can obtain their riches and land via tribute.

Aztec Military Education

Each man born in the Aztec Empire received a particular degree of military training. This training was offered at a very young age, and it was the only way that a commoner can climb up to accomplish a better social status. Lower level Aztec warriors could rise up rapidly if they seized enemy soldiers instead of killing them outright. The reason for this was because of the Aztec’s desire to engage in human sacrifice. They needed those who could be utilized for such sacrifices, and for this purpose, enemy combatants were extremely valued. In actual fact, a number of historians have mentioned that war was the main procedure by which the Aztecs expanded their economy.

Aztec Eagle And Jaguar Warriors

The greatest class of Aztec warriors was the Jaguar and Eagle soldiers. They would dress in the form of the animal from which their name was taken, and while some wore jaguar skins, others dressed with all the feathers of eagles. The base of operations for such soldiers was Quauhcalli, that could be located in the Aztec capital city of Tenochtitlan.

Another class of Aztec warriors had been the Otomies. They based their name from the Otomi people, a group who were regarded for their ferocity and battling expertise on the battlefield. Of all the warrior classes, none were higher than The Shorn Ones.

The Shorn Ones

The Shorn Ones are to the Aztecs what Delta Force and the Navy Seals are to the Usa of today: a extremely elite fighting force that were deemed to be the absolute best. The Shorn Ones shaved their heads with the exception of a braid which would extend over their left ear. Their faces and heads had been painted half blue and half red. Yellow would occasionally also be applied. Prior to going into battle, The Shorn Ones took a vow to never move back throughout a battle, and when they did, they could be killed by their allies.

The Weapons Of Aztec Warriors

The Aztec warriors utilized several different weapons on the battleground. One of the most popular was the Aztec spear, that was known as the Atlatl. The Aztecs tossed their spears instead of using them as a melee weapon. Aztec throwers could throw their spears at good distance, and with a great deal of force. The bow and arrow are yet another selection of the Aztec warriors, and these provided the warriors long range success. The Aztec arrows would typically have points which had been made from obsidian.

The writer is enthusiastic about Aztec history and has a total internet site featuring the Aztecs. There you can find facts about Aztecs which includes this article. For more of Aztec history, see aztec enemies.

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Population of the Aztecs

Eddie Montezuma — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:29:31 +0000

It is claimed that the Aztecs came from Aztlan which was a location that literally signifies “the place of origin”. Some historians believe that Aztlan is a location someplace close to the Valley of Mexico, while some believe that it’s a place that does not really exist or is fictional. Though the place of origin of the Mexica or the Aztecs isn’t recognized for certain, it is positive that the Aztecs settled within the Valley of Mexico around the middle of the 13th century and this is when the Aztec population started to expand.

The Growth Of Aztec Population

Initially, the Mexica or the Aztecs were not as many as the other tribes. They were considered to be the new kids on the block and they got the worst location to live in. But this didn’t cease them from growing and thriving as an incredible civilization and highly recognized empire.

With the help of two other groups, the triple alliance became probably the most well-liked group within the Valley of Mexico. By the time the Spaniards came, the Aztecs population was already a really numerous one. Though their exact population usually varied as a result of the quite major impact that human sacrifices to the gods made on their statistics.

At about 1519, the Aztecs were about 25,000,000 in number. They were plenty, thriving and they dominated the area. But when the Spaniards came, not merely did the Spaniards kill a good deal of the Aztecs, but they also brought with them lots of diseases.

The Decline Of Aztec Population

Numerous Aztec individuals died as a result of the small pox. By the year 1538, the Aztec population seriously declined. The remaining Aztecs had a total population of approximately 6 million only. By the year 1580, the Aztecs’ numbers truly spiraled downwards; there were only about 2 million Aztecs left.

A number of the ailments the Spaniards brought included mumps, tuberculosis, typhus and measles. Aztecs didn’t have the correct medicine for these diseases nor were they resistant to them, considering the fact that the illnesses were new. They probably didn’t even know what these sicknesses were. So while the Aztec empire crumbled when it was defeated by Spaniards it ware the ailments that caused the decrease of the Aztec population.

Aztec People Today

Modern day Aztecs or the descendants of the Aztecs now dwell in or near Mexico City. Mexico City is after all exactly where the first Aztecs lived, although before, the city was referred to as Tenochtitlan. Modern day Mexico now stands on what was before Tenochtitlan.

The present day Aztecs of today number nicely more than a million and they are now the biggest aboriginal group in Mexico. These contemporary day Aztecs are often illiterate farmers who’re somehow distinct from the other Mexicans whose culture is very contemporary when compared with the Aztecs.

These modern day Aztecs still preserve their way of speaking and they use the Aztec-Nahua language. Their religion nonetheless is distinctive and can be described as a mix of Aztec religion and Roman Catholicism.

There are actually still many areas in Mexico City that showcases the artworks or the majesty of the once thriving Aztecs. There’s even a statue in Mexico city depicting the Aztecs. They’re undoubtedly few in quantity currently but certainly, Aztec population and their empire won’t and can by no means be forgotten.

The writer is enthusiastic about Aztec history and has a full webpage featuring the Aztecs. There you are able to find details about Aztecs including population of the aztecs. For more of Aztec history, see aztec warriors.

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A Few Simple Tips To Help You Correctly Hire A Car While Holidaying In Mexico

Brent Harley — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 19:48:24 +0000

If you have ever rented a car in LA or Chicago or anywhere in fact in the U. S. , you may simply understand that headaches and hassles can be unremarkable with such an exchange. The concept of renting an auto in another country, for example Mexico, might appear to be too daunting to deal with. Nonetheless, avoiding vehicle rental nightmares while holidaying in Mexico can be quite easy as long as you are aware of one or two things.

It's smart to rent from an international car rental agency instead of depending on a local agency. This way works better from client service and availability aspects. A local agency doesn’t have much motivation to treat visitors well when they will potentially never have the opportunity to use their service again and they might not have as much choice in auto models.

Also the massive world agencies can set up your rental online or over the phone beforehand. Make sure to print a copy of the document that shows the name of the company, the model and brand of the vehicle, and the price that you were quoted (in both bucks and pesos). If there's any discrepancy in price or type of automobile this should settle any disagreements.

When you rent a vehicle in Mexico the rental agency will require you to have a credit card. They'll need to run the card twice, once for the rental and once as a preventative measure for any damage that may happen to the vehicle even though it is in your possession.

When you return the automobile and an inspection shows it is in it’s prior condition you need to be sure to get the second blank charge slip returned or destroyed in your presence. If all you have is an ATM card you may probably be charged a deposit, there is, however, a chance that such a transaction will limit your withdrawal capacity on that card.

Don't accept a vehicle from a rental office unless it seems to be in perfect condition. It will not pay to take risks with a vehicle that will break down on a desolate piece of road. Anyway, renting agencies offer the same services in Mexico as they do in the U.S. Like roadside help and additional insurance for an additional charge. It is always recommended to take the extra insurance when renting in Mexico.

Leasing a car and exploring Mexico at a sensible speed can be relaxing and liberating. It is comparatively trouble-free and pleasurable so long as you know the best ways to avoid automobile rental bad dreams. Hire from a known international company instead of a local company because a known brand will give the best service and least hassles.

Protect yourself by being mindful of what you are charged and how payments for services are remitted. And make sure you take some time to check your potential rental automobile to reassure yourself it is in superb condition and moderately clean. These are merely a few tips that will help you avoid having a car rental nightmare while on your Mexico holiday.

Understanding how to talk spanish just before vacationing in Mexico will undoubtedly aid you keep out of problems as effectively. Order Rocket Spanish Nowadays to aid you understand Spanish.

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Tequila and the Agave Plant

Dave Carter — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 20:19:43 +0000

Tequila is made from a desert plant called “agave.” Agave stores its food reserves in a way that animals aren’t interested in it. It has long bayonet-like spikes, and these bayonets render it rather hard to reach. Similarly, the plant does not produce palatable juices or fruit. So why did anybody come up with the concept of making liquor from agave?

The history of tequila is rather an interesting tale. It is thought that a forest fire occurred in the Jalisco region of Mexico and the heat cooked the agave plants. The natives in the area noticed the sweet scent of caramel coming from the core of the plants that still stood among the ashes. On further inspection, the natives found them sweet and pleasing to eat.

Initially, to process the agave plant, the locals first removed the pulpy spikes from the plants, leaving just the heads, referred to as “pinas.” They then took the heads and placed them in pits covered with the plants leaves (bayonets) and went on to lay a fire on top. This process helped convert the bitter and hard heads into a sweet, flavorful, and meaty product the natives used as candy. They’d yet to realise that alcohol may be made from the candy’s sugar.

Legend has it that some time afterwards one native made a decision to take the meaty pieces and put them in water so as to remove the sugar. The intention was to prepare a delicious sweet drink. But, to his surprise, the juice started to produce gas bubbles as though it were boiling. This was a result of fermentation. The miniscule yeast particles present in the air converted the sugars into alcohol and carbonic gas. Additionally, the liquid tasted differently than expected… It was no longer sweet, but now possessed more vivid and appealing aromas. The natives also noticed a rather strange effect on people who drank it.

All this occurred in the pre-Hispanic land, which is now referred to as the region of Jalisco. When the Spanish arrived, they tasted the “mescal wine” and took it a stage further with their knowledge of the method and art of distillation.

Tequila and mezcal were made the same way till the start of the Twentieth Century, when producers from the town of Tequila in the Jalisco area started to improve the process. They introduced modern and hygienic methodologies, which created a singular libation that would quickly come to be in a class on its own. It was at that point that the drink was named for its local city of Tequila.

Tequila producers claim the Jalisco area and the nearby Amatitan Valley’s “terroir” (soil and climate) imparts special traits on its raw material and “pinas.” Thus making a mescal unlike any other.

Dave Carter has been working at Colonial Spirits for a few years. A jack of all trades, Dave can offer you a hand with your spirits decision making. Dave is also the person to talk with if you are trying to select a cigar from our collection.Colonial Spirits would like to invite you to stop by our Littleton liquor store for one of our many liquor tastings. If you can not come by the physical store, then please consider our liquor delivery service. Colonial Spirits Delivers anywhere in Eastern Mass!

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Culture of the Aztecs

Eddie Montezuma — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:50:31 +0000

Subsequently, the new city of Mexico was founded on the ruins in the the Aztec capital – Tenochtitlan.

The term Aztec frequently refers to the Nahuatl-speaking, ethnic factions that existed in components of Central Mexico between the 12th and 16th centuries AD. One of the last in a succession of complex civilizations in Mesoamerica, they reflected traits of their forerunners like the Maya and Teotihuacan. Aztec culture and Aztec history is filled with rich and invigorating legends.

Social Status In the Aztec Culture

Their social setup was mainly divided into the nobility or ‘Pilli’, as well as the commoners or ‘macehualles’. The nobility occupied the majority of the vital political positions and managed the society’s fiscal resources. Commoners formed the majority of the Aztec population, and within themselves one could find ample variations in wealth and status, mainly since they could rise to the position of a pilli by virtue of ability and gallantry in warfare. The Aztecs had been mainly warriors, and war wasn’t just to capture new territory, but also a means to capture prisoners for their various religious sacrifices. Failure in a war meant disgrace to whoever was accountable, and it frequently resulted in their sacrifice.

Aztec Economy

Aztec economy was according to agriculture. Corn and maize had been cultivated extensively along with beans, avocados, squashes, potatoes, and tomatoes. They also produced a number of utilitarian goods like cotton textiles, ceramic cookware, and a variety of tools, all of which had been employed in trade and contributed to their economy. Family was an important element in the existence of the Aztecs. Their social organization was such that males were house builders, farmers or craftsmen, while the females looked after the homes and youngsters, produced clothes, and cared for the livestock.

Aztec Culture And Religion

Mainly polytheistic, Aztec religion was ruled by a variety of gods, of which the prominent ones were ‘Tezcatlipoca’, a strong creator god plus the patron of kings; ‘Quetzalcoatl’, the god of learning and patron of priests; ‘Tlaloc’, an ancient central Mexican rain god; and ‘Huitzilopochtli’, the patron god of the Mexican folks, also the war plus the sun god. The rituals had been supervised by expert priests. Human sacrifices were a striking characteristic of Aztec civilization. As per their myths, considering the fact that the gods had sacrificed themselves in an effort to develop the earth, sun, moon, and humans, offerings and human sacrifices had been a signifies of repaying their debt. Archaeological excavations of Aztec web pages have unearthed domestic altars, incense burners, and clay figurines which were employed in the course of religious services.

Aztec Art, Writing And Cuture

Although, medical practices amongst the Aztecs had been pragmatic, their superior knowledge was highly rated in the remedy of wounds and several other illnesses. Ardent sun and moon worshipers, they developed several astronomical calendars in accordance with which their rituals had been based.

Like the Mayans, the Aztec developed a form of pictorial representations, which had been used for purposes like calculations, chronicles, diaries, and history. The decline of the Aztec civilization and Aztec culture began with the advent of Spanish conquistadors, and towards the later part of the 16th century, pretty much 95% of the population were wiped out as an outcome of war. Subsequently, the new city of Mexico was founded on the ruins of the the Aztec capital – Tenochtitlan.

The writer is enthusiastic about Aztec history and has a total website featuring the Aztecs. There you’ll be able to find information about Aztecs which includes aztec culture. For more of Aztec history, see aztec population.

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In what way to Organize and Which Aspects to Think to Prepare an Incredible Rest in Mexico

Michael C. Reyes — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 18:19:08 +0000

To make a plan previously going on vacation to Mexico is a necessary key to have fun and enjoy a wonderful break. Make a plan previous to go away home is something that will favor a lot to have fun and enjoy every moment on your time off, this preparing is not merely vital for your entertainment if not also to not overdo unnecessary expenses, it also helps you to have choices in case something does not go as purposed.

During planning your few days off to Mexico should seek, as aid, a plan of travel expenses and the spending of money, when you start to organize your plan and if you are moving including family, have the children participate in opinions of where you get to where things happen at the time recreational activities that they would enjoy to do or places to explore. Create a trip plan will assist you control your time and corporal effort to take benefit of the best available way, so shall render you more time and not get tired on both tours, take many things into account, walking tours , with much sun may wear if you plan a cap or umbrella in addition to all the areas you plan to visit in one day, the purpose is not to terminate too tired, on the first day of vacation.

Make a inventory of all those places you desire to visit with your family, beaches, amusement parks, museums, parks or aquatic, archaeological sites, historical sites and others that seem fascinating to explore see Hoteles and Paquetes de Viajes .

Make your resources, take into account all those things that you can spend money, such as lodging, park tickets, transport and transfers, lunch and breakfast, several shopping, souvenirs, gifts and others that you can think of, take this into account will save you more money you do not know which things you can spend it or you run out of money early, reserve a number for emergencies or unforeseen, allow for possibility the money you take with you and you can trough atm available, think about the peso-dollar exchange rate to better control your costs, discover where you should buy local currency (peso) will do better for your money if you purchase in stores the exchange rate is not going to agree very much .

If you organize in improvement you may save for more fun, another aspect you may do is organize a trip to a place of rest all inclusive so you will not have to shell out more money than you intention to spend on the travel, all that good research includes an organize of this nature to the area you are traveling, not entirety that is stipulated is included will be some details to review individually charged, frequently includes flight, lodging, meals, breakfasts and dinners, drinks and activities on the beach or pool, the rest will go on your own as gifts and shopping in stores verifies that offers the inn you have chosen and what includes things.

But now it’s time that you plan recreational activities and diversion, take a little time on this so do not overdo the expenses that this entails, initial make a list of activities where we would like to spend together in family and additionally held that activities offered by the destination you want to go, so you could detect an extensive amount of places to spend time all together and family entertainment.

Also save a little money, as we stated before can leave unforeseen and even if you’ve researched many places you might discover one that does not appear and you detect very seductive to explore, it also has to do with the unforeseen purchases, the last thing we desire, is returned frustrated so that they could not have been fun or enjoyed a remarkable, although it may not be able to return we would like to stay with the desire at that time.

Last but not least valuable activity need be taken in situation of urgency, report close family going out of city as well as the neighbors if it has a good communication with them, this may perform to alert if something occurs at the time your absence, if you have pets and do not leave you too can someone go to see your house to meet them, give them their food and cleaning, or you can also host them with any veterinarian or leave them with a nearby resident or friend.

If moving abroad always carries information on where you call the embassy of your country, an inventory of your voyage plan, which sites you visit and routes to share with persons close to you as family and friends, no one suspects you to pass something but is for safety and to discover a backup and support if you run into any problems during the excursion.

Likewise you need plan to achieve whatever official documents such as passports and identification from you and your family members, this together with your excursion plans so you will not have any concerns regarding the authorized procedures of the travel and probably will enjoy much explore Mexico.

To make your holiday well in Mexico consider Resorts and Vacation Packages what you’d enjoy to visit in Mexico, there are various areas that perhaps of significance for a stupendous break in Mexico, for more information visit Cancun Wonders.

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Scientists Find out the Mayan Underworld of Xibalba

Linda Patterson — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 14:38:12 +0000

Many, if not most, religions ” both modern and ancient ” share the concept of an underworld. The Greeks had Hades; the Japanese Shinto have Yomi; some might argue the Christian Heaven is incomplete without its corresponding Hell. The Mayans were no different, except that they apparently took the idea a step further and physically constructed portals into their own mythical subterranean domain. The caves and depths of the world provoke a sense of unease and trepidation by their very nature, and the natural features of the Yucatn were utilized by the Maya as literal entrances to Xibalba, their land of the dead.

It is in the Yucatn that one of the largest such entrances has been found. Archaeologists have uncovered a surprisingly vast network of subterranean passages, temples, and caves used by the ancient peoples who once dwelt on the surface. These caverns are largely covered by water today, and some archaeologists believe they also were during the time of the Maya. The scientists who explored these caves needed scuba gear and modern diving equipment to complete the survey, and so one can only imagine the hardships endured by those who first built these chambers many hundreds of years ago.

The Mayan Historical Record

The writings of the Maya, often preserved in tablet form, suggest that the caves may have served the double purpose of acting as a flood barrier. This would have been an important function, given that many such sites exist under or adjacent to large temples or areas of settlement. The Maya regarded death as less of a permanent transformation and more of a journey or transference between states of being; as such, the underground caves provided a literal road by which the departed could travel to their new realm of residence, forging a physical link between to worlds: that of the living, and that of the dead.

The Remains of the Dead

It’s not uncommon for archaeologists to discover human remains in these cave passages, or to stumble across skeletons half-buried near the pools and flooded sections adjacent to the underground rivers. The frequency with which human bones are uncovered at these sites has lead researchers to believe that the tunnels were thought of literally as a portal by which the recently deceased could make their way to Xibalba.

Throughout southern Mexico and Central America (mainly Belize and Guatemala), scientists have located at least 14 cave complexes of this kind. For the most part, they share the same features, including massive and ornately carved columns made from solid rock, as well as being filled with pottery, sculpture, and other trappings of ritual activity. The pots themselves are clearly identified as ceremonial by the addition of “kill holes,” small openings in the bottom through which spirits were believed to escape.

The road to the underworld was certainly not said to be an easy one. Dead spirits would have to pass a gallery of horrors laid out by the gods of the underworld: ghost houses, walls dripping ooze and human blood, and long corridors filled with spiders, snakes, and other dangerous creatures. The departed souls would have to rely on the benevolence of helpful spirits, such as a mythical canine companion with excellent night vision, in order to make the journey successfully ” even so, they would have to endure many trials and ordeals in order to gain sanctuary at last in Xibalba.

Entering the Underworld

Climbing down into one of these cave sites is an eerie and unforgettable experience. To stand at the edge of a silent pool, its surface black and smooth as volcanic glass, and stare up at massive stone pillars covered in Maya pictographs is an experience not soon forgotten by any who’ve had it. Once you’ve been, it’s easy to understand why they were chosen as places of reverence ” the thrill of fear at the abundance of human bones mixes with the deathly silence and coolness of the caves, and leaves one feeling a sense of awe and wonderment at their very existence.

The Maya were certainly champion builders, constructing some of the ancient world’s most incredible cities and gigantic pyramids. What now makes these structures even more fascinating is the knowledge that erecting them was hardly the limit of the builder’s science practiced by these ancient architects, for below an astonishing number of these cities and temples can be found subterranean networks exhibiting equal grandeur and architectural skill.

Many of these sites can be visited today by anyone who can manage a moderately taxing hike. One of the most famous, Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) in Belize, contains some truly unusual artifacts; perhaps best-known is the Crystal Maiden, the skeleton of a young girl that many scientists suppose was the victim of human sacrifice. Over the centuries, her bones (as well as much of the surrounding cave floor) have become calcified, and they now glitter in the dark recesses with an unearthly light. Any trip to Central America would be incomplete without an attempt to sample this once-in-a-lifetime experience ” an actual descent into the underworld of Mayan lore!

If you enjoy traveling to ancient Ruins, learning about the local culture and people along the way Duende Tours can help. We are adventure travel specialists for Mexico, Guatemala and Belize.

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Aztec Tattoos

Eddie Montezuma — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 22:09:10 +0000

Aztec tattoos are known for their elaborate and detailed patterns, and they had been created through the Aztec civilization which ruled Mexico throughout the 14th century. While Mesoamerican civilizations all had art designs which were similar, the Aztec style of art was very different from its neighbors, and this could clearly be noticed in the styles which are used for the tattoos. The very first thing which you need to understand about Aztec tattoos is that particular styles and shapes were deemed by the Aztecs to be sacred. Art was exceptionally vital for the Aztecs, and both kids and ladies were taught the art of pottery making from an early age. They were also trained how to make artwork through both stones and valuable metals.

The Role Of Aztec Tattoos In Culture

One thing that makes Aztec tattoos distinct from contemporary tattoos is that they played an critical function in the Aztec tradition, and they would often be employed for rituals. Numerous Aztec tattoos had been designed with esteem and reverence to Uitzilopochtle, one of the many gods that had been worshiped by the Aztecs. While many individuals at this time acquire tattoos simply because of their aesthetic appeal, the Aztecs regarded them to be a lot more significant. For example, the Aztecs did not just put the tattoos on any part of the body. They put them in particular locations which they deemed to be essential.

Where Aztec Put Their Tattoos?

For example, Aztec youngsters would often have tattoos put on their chest, stomach, and wrist, and this was carried out in order to show the child’s commitment to a particular god. Each one of these tattoos would be created having a specific pattern, and the style of the pattern would be dependent on the god that these particular child wanted to honor. As Aztec tattoos varied widely in their designs, there had been numerous themes which were frequent amongst Aztec tattoos. Among these themes is the sun. The sun was deemed to be sacred to the Aztecs, due to the fact it was viewed as being the harbinger of life.

Aztec Sun Tattoo

The Aztec calendar itself is based on the sun, and this is the reason the calendar is loaded with pictures of the sun giving many facial capabilities. Several modern Aztec tattoos do not have as much meaning as their early counterparts, and the purpose for this is because the Aztec alphabet is much distinct than the language that is used at this time. The language which was utilised in ancient Aztec tattoos was Nahuatl. As of this writing, the language has not been totally translated. If you wish to get an Aztec tattoo, then it’s normal that you will wish to pick a great style.

Discover Aztec Tattoos

Maybe one of the top sources of info is the World-wide-web. Here you may come across a bunch of facts that is associated with Aztec tattoos, and you can locate designs you like, and discover the definitions of those styles before making the choice to get the tattoo. Once you have decided which style you wish to get, most tattoo artists will likely be more than happy to produce the design, even if they are not skilled with Aztec art.

The writer is enthusiastic about Aztec history and has a total internet site featuring the Aztecs. There you could obtain details about Aztecs such as tattoos of the aztecs. For more of Aztec history, see aztec.

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