MEXICO CITY, MEXICO--Believed to date to the early 16th century or late 15th century, the Stone of the Sun is a large disc nearly 12 feet across and weighing 24 tons. Discovered in 1790 in the Plaza Mayor, the Stone of the Sun was originally misidentified as the Aztec Calendar. It has more recently been identified as a large gladiatorial sacrificial altar, known as a temalacatl. It was not finished because of a deep crack that runs from one side to the center of the piece at the rear. Despite the fracture, it was used to stage the fights between warriors in the tlacaxipehualiztli ceremony. It
The National Museum of Anthropology (Museo Nacional de Antropología) in Mexico City is the largest and most visited museum in Mexico. It is renowned for its extensive collection of pre-Columbian archaeological and anthropological artifacts from Mexico's indigenous cultures, including the Aztec, Maya, Olmec, and others. Established in 1825, the museum moved to its current location in Chapultepec Park in 1964. Its modern and expansive building, designed by Pedro Ramírez Vázquez, features a central courtyard with a vast umbrella-like stone structure symbolizing the cosmos according to ancient Mexican cultures. The museum comprises 23 exhibit halls filled with ancient artifacts, including the Aztec Stone of the Sun and the replica of the tomb of the Mayan ruler Pakal the Great. Detailed dioramas present an insightful look into the life of indigenous peoples, while the ethnographic exhibits showcase the diversity of contemporary indigenous groups in Mexico. The National Museum of Anthropology is not only a museum but also a research institution committed to the study and dissemination of Mexico's anthropological heritage. It offers educational programs and workshops to enhance visitors' understanding of Mexico's rich cultural history. The museum is a testament to the diverse and vibrant indigenous cultures that have shaped Mexico's past and continue to influence its present.
Size: 6706px × 4476px
Location: Bosque de Chapultepec I Sección, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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