Archaeologists have unearthed new parts of the Aztec Tower of human skulls, down in the center of Mexico City in the 1400’s.
The team has previously excavated the facade and east side of the tower as well as 119 human skulls of men, women and children, adding hundreds of previously found people, the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) announced on Friday.
The tower is about five meters (16.4 feet) in diameter, was first discovered in 2017, and the latest discovery was made in March.
It is believed to be part of the Hue Xzopantli, a vast range of skulls that, when captured by the city under Hernનn Cortસs in 1521, created an atmosphere of fear among the Spanish conquerors.
The cylindrical structure is close to the huge Metropolitan Cathedral built over the Templo Meyer, one of the main temples of Tenochtitlan, the capital of modern-day Mexico City, the Aztecs.
“The Templo Mayor continues to amaze us, and Hue Xopontally is one of the most impressive archaeological discoveries of our country in recent years,” Mexican Culture Minister Alejandra Fresto said in a statement.
Archaeologists have identified three construction phases of the tower, dating to between 1486 and 1502.
The original discovery of the tower astonished anthropologists who expected to find the skulls of young male warriors, but they also discovered the cranes of women and children, which raised questions about human sacrifice in the Aztec Empire.
“Although we cannot say how many of these were warriors, perhaps some were bound at the sacrifice ceremony,” said archaeologist Raul Barrera.
“We know they were all sanctified,” he added. “Gifts for the gods or the transformation of the forms of the gods.”
