Flashback to February 14
World History

On December 17, 1790, a monumental piece of history was unearthed in Mexico City – the Aztec Calendar Stone also known as Sun Stone. This artifact, now considered a precious relic of the Aztec culture and civilization, was hidden for centuries before its serendipitous discovery. This event opened up new avenues for scholars, historians, and archaeologists eager to decode the secrets of the Aztec civilization and its sophisticated grasp of astronomy.
The Aztec Calendar Stone is an enormous monolith, weighing around 24 tons—roughly the same as four large elephants. It’s a circular slab with intricate carvings that is approximately 12 feet in diameter and three feet thick. The fascinating depictions on the stone are believed to represent the mythology and cosmology of the ancient Aztec civilization, revealing a level of knowledge that continues to amaze experts to this day.
After its discovery in 1790, the Aztec Calendar Stone was moved to the Western Tower of the Metropolitan Cathedral, where it was left on display for over a century. Throughout all these years, researchers tirelessly analyzed, studied, and interpreted its numerous symbols to try and unlock the secrets of the Aztec universe. The stone was later moved to the National Anthropology Museum in 1885 and today, it draws millions of visitors from around the world who are intrigued by the fascinating history and culture of the Aztecs.
The Aztec Calendar Stone is prominently noted for its impressive detailed carvings, representing the Aztec cosmological understanding and their views of time. At the center of the stone, is the image of either the sun god Tonatiuh or the earth monster Tlaltecuhtli, suggesting the intricate interplay between these deities in the Aztec view of the universe.
Surrounding the central face, there are four squares representing the four previous ages or ‘suns’ that precede the present era, according to the Aztec mythology. Additional symbols represent days, months, and celestial phenomena, demonstrating the Aztec’s pioneering understanding of astronomy.
The solar imagery dominating the stone reflects the Aztec civilization’s belief that they lived in the era of the fifth sun, which they believed would eventually be destroyed by earthquakes. This belief, like many others, represented in the Aztec Calendar Stone, reveals a complex understanding of time and the universe that continues to inspire awe even in modern times.
The discovery of the Aztec Calendar Stone in Mexico City was undoubtedly a turning point in the understanding of this ancient civilization, offering unprecedented insights into their beliefs, culture, and astronomical understanding. With its rich symbolic carvings and complex design, the stone remains a fascinating artifact, reflecting the grandeur and wisdom of the Aztec civilization.
The discovery of the Aztec Calendar Stone in 1790 has allowed archaeologists, historians, and anthropologists to delve deep into the Aztec civilization with renewed perspectives. It has helped to shed light on the Aztecs’ advanced knowledge of astrology, their comprehension of time, and their nuanced cosmological beliefs, contributing enormously to our broader understanding of ancient civilizations.
Even today, hundreds of years after it was discovered in Mexico City, the Aztec Calendar Stone serves as a significant symbol of Mexico’s heritage. It continues to inspire countless studies and research, allowing us to catch a glimpse of a civilization’s grandeur that has long disappeared. The Aztec Calendar Stone, with its profound cosmic and cultural implications, remains an invaluable treasure of human history.
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