Aztec Calendar Stone Essay examples - 1599 Words

Obtaining the knowledge that was passed down to them from earlier Mesoamerican cultures, the Aztecs carved the calendar stone in 1479 (Smith 253). At the time, the Aztecs lived in a very civilized world filled with amazing architecture, an impressively complex government system, and they also employed intricate systems of writing and calendric systems (Taube 7). The Calendar Stone was made by basalt stone. For the Aztecs, everything was pictorial in nature around this era. The calendar stone depicted different pictograms or Codex Magliabechianoand, which was primarily written on religious documents (Aztec-History). Art was centered around religion in this era. So the pictograms of the gods on the calendar stone would correlate with that†¦show more content†¦Most agree though, that it offers a graphic representation of the Mexica cosmos’ (Palfrey). In The Aztecs, Smith sums up what is to be believed the thought of the Aztecs when they carved the calendar stone †Å"The Aztec calendar stone conveyed the message that the Aztec empire covered the whole earth (territory in all four directions), and that it was founded upon the sacred principles of time, directionality, divine warfare, and the sanction of the gods† (Smith 270). Keeping the Aztec calendar is proof of ancient cultures mathematical and scientific achievements without the aid of modern technology. The study of the sun stone could lead to further advances in mathematics and acts as a road map to our celestial bodies from that era of our history. The Aztecs believe they felt justified in believing in this calendar because of numerous events that changed the course of history for them. Because Aztec Indians were fervent astronomers, they tracked the stars and correlated that between the days to create this sun calendar. Examples of events happening within the timeline of the calendar stone being built are these: Between 1452 and 1454, their capital city Tenochtitlan suffered fro m flood and famine, the following year on 4/16/1445 (Julian calendar) there was an eclipse of the sun. From 1473-1479, there were 4 more solar eclipses within a five year time frame (Aveni, Calnek). During this time the Aztec nation conquered andShow MoreRelatedTaking a Closer Look at the Aztec Civilization Essays905 Words   |  4 Pages The Aztecs were a very warlike people, but were very influential to our civilization. They lived in present day Mexico about 800 years ago. At first, they were a mostly nomadic civilization and that lasted about 100 years. Then they developed the first, and capital, city, Tenochtitlà ¡n. They developed many new types of government, religion, culture, technology, economy, and geography, as well as the calendar and new mathematical techniques. The Aztecs were skilled writers, builders, artistsRead MoreIncas Versus The Aztecs And Mayans Essay1315 Words   |  6 PagesIncas versus the Aztecs and Mayans The incas rose in 1438, they fell in 1533. They suffered the attacks of Spanish conquerors such as Spaniard Francisco Pizarro (1475-1541) and the spread of small box. At the peak of power the civilization extended 4,000 km (2,500 miles) and included 16 million people. They were extremely advanced, had an army, laws, roads, bridges, and tunnels. Inca’s were the most advanced civilization because of their government, agriculture, architecture and technology comparedRead MoreThe Aztecs And The Aztec Religion1547 Words   |  7 Pagesof the last societies to arise were the Aztecs. The Aztecs originated from groups of people that were migrating from a lake named, Aztlan, towards the valley of Mexico. They transformed from just a small group of explores into a successful empire during this time. Aztecs had a very unique culture, their religion influenced most of their life. Their religion was expressed through their rituals, everyday life, and art. Even before they settled down, the Aztecs depended on their Gods to guide them toRead MoreThe Aztec Human Sacrifices Essay1175 Words   |  5 PagesThe Aztec civilization was a very complex society that was feared and known well for their various gory sacrifices done to please their many gods in their polytheistic religion. The much feared civilization began by the exile of one of the two Toltec leaders, which lead to the decline of the Toltec state that was later replaced by Mexica, or the Aztecs. According to the Aztecs, the land chosen to build their main city was chosen by the portrayal of an eagle perched on a cactus with a snake in itsRead MoreRamon Astorga. Professor Sarhadi. History 101. 02 March1577 Words   |  7 PagesHistory 101 02 March 2014 The Aztec Empire The Aztec civilization was the most dominate complex society in Mesoamerica of all time. The Aztecs were an innovative and sophisticated civilization that became superior due to their elaborate engineered cities, pyramids, and temples. Their proficiency in trade, expertise in agriculture, religious traditions, organized government, and progressive technology set a firm foundation for the distinguished Aztec empire. The Aztecs, arrived in Mesoamerica in theRead MoreComparing Meso And South American Mythology889 Words   |  4 Pageswhile he spent time in the Underworld during the time between the sunset and sunrise. The Aztec calendar depicts the cosmology of the world by illustrating different stages, events and destinies of both individuals, society, and the world that either occurred in the past or will occur in the future. Additionally, this calendar was also used to count the years and ran parallel with the solar year. The calendar comprised of 260 days that were divided into 20 weeks, each of which was controlled by aRead MoreThe City Of The Aztec Empire Essay1361 Words   |  6 PagesGeography The main area of civilization was the Valley of Mexico in the mountains. The main city of the Aztec empire, is the capital of Tenochtitlan, a population of about 20-30 million. Tenochtitlan is located on an island in Lake Texcoco, built around the causeway to stop the water, preventing seawater intrusion island. Due to the increase of population, the island area was not enough, so the Aztecs built artificial islands around the main islands, these artificial islands at the time the world isRead MoreRoom 1 - The Magnificent Mayans1213 Words   |  5 PagesDemise of the Mayan civilization. Room 2 - The Awesome Aztecs Culture Artifact 1: Picture/Source: Among The Most Important Pieces Of The Aztec Warriors. (Britannica 1) Description/Source: The most valued Aztec weapon was the Atlatl. The Atlatl resembles a spear thrower. Some Atlatls had carvings including sacrifice, gods, and warriors. Artifact 2: Picture/Source: Introduction to the Aztec world (Facts on File 6) Description/Source: The Aztecs liked bright colors. They used many different thingsRead More Aztec Civilization Essay680 Words   |  3 Pages The Aztec Indians created a great civilization in Central Mexico, reaching its peak in the 1500amp;#8217;s. Being late arrivals to the area, and because of their strong neighboring nations, they were forced to live in the swampy western areas of the Lake Texcoco. Because of the swampy surroundings, the Aztecs used mud to create miniature islands in the swamps. These islands are called chinampas, or amp;#8220;floating gardens,; and were used as farming lands. On these fertile islands they grewRead MoreAztec, Central American Indian People911 Words   |  4 PagesAztec, central American Indian people, of the Uto-Aztecan language family, and of the Mesoamerican culture area, who dominated central and southern Mexico from the 14th to the 16th centuries. They are best known for having established an empire based on conquest, tribute paying, and the religious sacrifice of humans and animals. Their name is derived from a mythical homeland to the north called Azatlà ¡n; they also called themselves the Mexica. Origins After the fall of the Toltec civilization (fl