Skull ‘mask’ Museo Templo Mayor. It was made in the 15th century from the skull of a defeated elite warrior, and probably worn as part of a ceremonial headdress or belt. Human skull, flint, sea shell, and pyrite. Size: 19 x 3cm. Aztec ( The Aztecs, Mesoamerican culture, Central Mexico 1300 to 1521 (14th-16th Century), Aztec Empire, Tenochtitlan, city-state of the Mexica , Tenochca, Texcoco, Tlacopan, )

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Human sacrifice played a central role in the ideology of the Aztec Empire.

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Size: 4000px × 4188px
Photo credit: © Peter Horree / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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