Lightboxes
Cart
alb3820708

aztec calendar stone

The most precious artifact of Pre-Columbian culture in Mexico is the Aztec Calendar Stone (Mexica sun stone, Stone of the Sun). On display at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City, Mexico, it measures thirteen feet in diameter and weighs twenty-four tons and carved into porphyritic basalt. A blend of real science and Aztec mythology. The stone was carved in 1592. The face of the stone contains mythological and astrological figures and signs in geometrical order. The outer border contains two serpents which represent time and the chief Aztec gods. Within this border are the rays emanating from the central figure which represents "Tonatiub," the Sun god. To the amazement of archaeologists, the stone, when deciphered, revealed a sophisticated knowledge of astronomy. Aztec astronomy, based chiefly on astrology, divided the solar year into 18 months of 20 days each.
Share
pinterestPinterest
twitterTwitter
facebookFacebook
emailEmail

Add to another lightbox

Add to another lightbox
add to lightbox print share
Do you already have an account? Sign in
You do not have an account? Register
Buy this image
Loading...
Title:
aztec calendar stone
Caption:
The most precious artifact of Pre-Columbian culture in Mexico is the Aztec Calendar Stone (Mexica sun stone, Stone of the Sun). On display at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City, Mexico, it measures thirteen feet in diameter and weighs twenty-four tons and carved into porphyritic basalt. A blend of real science and Aztec mythology. The stone was carved in 1592. The face of the stone contains mythological and astrological figures and signs in geometrical order. The outer border contains two serpents which represent time and the chief Aztec gods. Within this border are the rays emanating from the central figure which represents "Tonatiub," the Sun god. To the amazement of archaeologists, the stone, when deciphered, revealed a sophisticated knowledge of astronomy. Aztec astronomy, based chiefly on astrology, divided the solar year into 18 months of 20 days each.
Personalities:
Credit:
Album / Science Source / New York Public Library
Releases:
Model: No - Property: No
Rights questions?
Image size:
3330 x 3384 px | 32.2 MB
Print size:
28.2 x 28.7 cm | 11.1 x 11.3 in (300 dpi)
Keywords: