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.