Lecture Notes: The Sun Stone (Piedra del Sol)
Summary
The lecture discussed the Sun Stone, also known as the Aztec Calendar, a significant artifact from the Mexica or Aztec culture. This large monolith, made from basalt, features extensive carvings and served various purposes, possibly including gladiatorial confrontations and ritual sacrifices. Discovered in 1790, the Sun Stone is now displayed in the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City.
Detailed Points
Description of the Sun Stone
- Material and Dimensions: Carved from basalt rock.
- Size: 3.58 meters in diameter, 98 centimeters thick.
- Weight: 24.5 tons.
Historical Context and Function
- Original Placement: Likely placed on the ground in the Templo Mayor.
- Uses:
- Might have been anointed with blood from sacrifices.
- Some historians believe it was a "temalacatl" or a cylinder used for gladiatorial battles.
- Others argue it served as a "cuauhxicalli", a container for holding hearts offered to gods.
- Discovery:
- Found in 1790 during leveling and pipe-laying work in the Plaza Mayor (now Z贸calo) of Mexico City.
- Buried for about 270 years after the Spanish conquest.
Symbolism and Representation
- Central Figure: Represents Tonatiuh, the Sun God.
- Cosmological Eras: Depicts the era of the Fifth Sun among four previous cosmological eras.
Journey and Current Location
- Initial Public Display: Briefly placed on the western tower of the Metropolitan Cathedral.
- Museum Transfers:
- Moved to the National Museum in 1887 by President Porfirio D铆az.
- Transferred to the National Museum of Anthropology in 1964 for its inauguration in Chapultepec.
- Current Exhibition: Displayed in the Mexica room of the National Museum of Anthropology and History.
Cultural Impact
- Naming: Originally named "Aztec Calendar" by anthropologist Antonio de Le贸n y Gama.
- Public Interest: Promoted by Viceroy Revillagigedo for public appreciation and awareness of the indigenous monumental art.
This in-depth overview of the Sun Stone encapsulates its significance to Mexica cultural heritage, its historical interpretations, and its journey through various locations until its current repository.