Extra Credit

Earlier this quarter, a couple of classmates and I, went to check out The Arts of Tenochtitlan exhibition at LACMA. I found it amazing how we were able to see such artifacts here in the US even though they originated from Mexico.

So, the first picture on the upper left hand corner shows a funerary urn. The figure is either a deity or an ancestor. It is wearing a snake mask with the tongue being the prominent feature. The headdress it is wearing refers to maize. What is interesting about this is that these are commonly found in Oaxaca but this one was found in Mexico City, formerly known as Tenochtitlan. Then it was transferred to the US, so I think it is amazing how strong the artifact is since it is able to endure such exportations.

The second image on the top right hand corner is a stone skull surrounded by "folded paper". This artifact was found near the central altar of the Sun Plaza which is in front of the Sun Pyramid (LACMA). The bio provided by LACMA states that it might be a precedent of Mictlantecuhtli which is the Aztec skeletal death deity. What is interesting about this piece is that the nose is actually a hole where a blade could be placed.

Finally, the bottom left image is of a mural of a figure with claws. You can't really see from the picture but up close, it was very beautiful because of its intricacy. The figure has a prominent mouth of which a scroll comes out of. This indicates that the speech or song is a prayer (LACMA).