June 9, 2017

Aztec Temple and Ball Court Excavated in the Zocalo, Mexico City

A new major discovery of an Aztec Temple and Ballcourt have been excavated near the Zocalo in Mexico City. The excavation uncovered the foundations of a massive circular shaped temple dedicated to the wind god Ehecatl and part of a ball court. The structures were described in the Spanish chronicles. They also found 32 severed male neck vertebrae in a pile next to the court. These would have been the victims of the ball game ritual. The structures were built during the reign of Ahuizotl from 1486-1502. Mexican archaeologist Eduardo Matos said the top of the temple would have resembled a coiled snake with priests entering a doorway that was shaped as the serpent’s nose.

Numerous news stories on this discovery have appeared today. This one is from the Guardian, with photos;
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jun/08/mexico-city-ancient-aztec-temple-ball-court

Mike Ruggeri’s Toltecs and Aztecs
http://mikeruggeristoltecsandaztecs.tumblr.com

Mike Ruggeri’s Aztec and Toltec World Magazine
http://bit.ly/1ygAdbd

The same story was published in November 2016. Perhaps the Ball Court and the neck vertebrae are new details.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jun/08/mexico-city-ancient-aztec-temple-ball-court