Extra Credit: City and Cosmos: The Arts of Teotihuacan

The "City and Cosmos: The Arts of Teotihuacan " exhibition provides findings from Mexican national and international archaeological projects excavating at Teotihuacan's three main pyramids: the sun, the moon, and the feather serpent. As I look at all the amazing and beautiful relics of seashells, jewelry, paintings, and sculptors. One major artifact that stood out to me were the large Shell Trumpets in Tlalocan. The shells come from a species of marine snails that originated in the Gulf of Mexico. These trumpets are among the many of shells that contributed to making the Tlalucan tunnel. Each shell trumpet had an intricate symbol or illustration. For instance, one of the shells had a male wearing a feline headdress and holding a spear-thrower which may have represent a powerful warrior during that period. Each of the illustrations had a significance and meaning behind them. Additionally, it is believed that these shell trumpets were played by supplicants before depositing them in offerings. 

I thought these shells were amazing and really cool since they depict a part of indigenous history that has never been told or known. This exhibit had lots of cool findings that gave the audience a taste of indigenous history and ancient thought. It was enlightening to understand how their artworks relate to place, both above and below ground.  Every single detail and marking had a significance and a purpose. There was a large emphasis on duality which is very important to acknowledge. 

Unfortunately, this exhibit also reminded me of how many detailed and meaningful artifacts were destroyed and stolen due to the atrocities of colonization. Similar, to how LACMA is using these artifacts to make profit. When in reality, these findings rightfully belong to the indigenous population of Mexico City. This is upsetting since it reflects how a lot of indigenous traditions, practices, and history are lost, exploited, and forgotten due to colonialism. However, many of indigenous traditions strive today due to our ancestor's oral history, practices, and art.