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‘The exhibition is dedicated to the greatest Aztec temple, situated in Te-nochtitlan, the present Mexico Cty: El Templo Mayor, as the Spanish called it. Religion was the predominant factor in Aztec life; Tenochtitlan was divine and the symbol of all this was the pyramid. The great “Teocalli” (Temple) was inside the “plaza”, surrouned by a high wall made up of a series of contorted snakes, which gave it the name of “coatepantli”. Its base was 45×45 metres and its height was 48 metres. It was the dominating point of the city. Started in 1325, it was built in various successive phases: each emperor would give it his contribution by building a new temple on top of the one biult by his predecessor. The archeological re-discovery of the Aztec past is quite recent: the crucial date was 21 February 1978, which marked the finding of the Coyolxauhqui Stone, an oval stone with an 11 ft diametre, representing an important Aztec myth. There followed four and a half years of meticulous excavation works of the ancient temple in the area next to the cathedral of Mexico City; these works are considered by many as the most mportant in the archeology of the New World. The excavation works have been carried out under the supervision of prof. Eduardo Matos Moctezuma, one of the the main experts on Aztec culture, and have brought to light some items of rare beauty. A preview of the exhibition, made up of about ten pieces and their explanation, will be dispalied at the Meeting. The whole exhibition – 44 pieces of great value, such as sculptures, small statues in gold, platinum and stone, staged in collaboration with Rmini city council, will be inaugurated in spring 1985.’<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
‘The exhibition is dedicated to the greatest Aztec temple, situated in Te-nochtitlan, the present Mexico Cty: El Templo Mayor, as the Spanish called it. Religion was the predominant factor … <\/p>\n