SACRIFICES AT THE GREAT TEMPLE

TENOCHTITLAN LAYOUT

THE TEMPLE TODAY

The ruins of Tenochtitlan are located in what is now Mexico City.  The archaeological site of the Great Temple covers about 4000 square meters.   A museum dedicated to the Great Temple lies next to the ruins of the temple.  The archaelogical site can be viewed by using a series of overlooks and footpaths.

HUITZILOPOCHTLI AND TLALOC

The reason that the Great Temple was dedicated to Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc is that these two Gods  were considered companions of equal power.  Huitzilopochtli was especially important to the Aztecs because according to legend, every night Huitzilopochtli would fight the forces of darkness so that darkness would not take over the world.  The Aztec believed that the only way to increase Huitzilopochtli's power was to give him human blood.  So, many sacrifices were performed in his name.  Tlaloc was important to the Aztecs because they believed that he was a beneficial God who gave life and sustenance.  But, he was feared for his ability to send thunder and lightening, hale, and for being the lord of water. 

EXCAVATION OF THE TEMPLE

In 1521, the Great Temple was destroyed by Spanish invaders, and was covered over by the new Spanish city.  The new city was built right on top of where Tenochtitlan once stood, so thousands of artifiacts from the temple remained buried under the new city.  Excavation of the temple began in 1978, when a new interest sparked about the old city.  During excavations, more than 7000 objects  that used to be in the temple were found.  Most of the objects that were found were offerings that included clay pots, figurines, animal skeletons, coral, gold, alabaster, ceramic urns, masks, copper rattles, decorated skulls, and obsidian knives.  Although many of these objects were of Aztec design, there are also many items from other peoples, brought in as tribute or through trade to the Aztecs.  The objects that were excavated were found in cavities, stone urns, and boxes made of slabs.  These offerings were usually accompanied by complex rituals. 

SYMBOLISM OF THE TEMPLE

The twin set of staircases of the temple symbolized two sacred mountains.  The left staircase represented the Hill of Sustenance and the right represented the Hill of Coatepec.  The Hill of Coatepec was the mystic hill where Huitzilopochtli was born. The Hill of Sustenance was important because Tlaloc was its patron.

RELIGIOUS USES OF THE TEMPLE

The Great Temple was dedicated to two Gods: the God of the sun and war, Huitzilopochtli, and the God of rain and agriculture, Tlaloc.  Twin staircases led up to each God's shrine.  Sacrifices occurred in front of the shrines, and each shrine had an altar called a tzompantli (skull rack) that displayed the skulls of the thousands of people who had been sacrificed. Most important religious ceremonies and rituals took place at the temple, and it was the religious center of Tenochtitlan.[