Aztecs
The Aztecs were a civilization in central America during the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries. The capital of the Aztec empire was Tenochtitlan which was built on islands in Lake Texcoco. The capital of Mexico, Mexico city, is built on the ruins of Tenochtitlan. Aztec society was build upon the many previous accomplishments of the people of Teotihuacan. Education among many of the Aztecs was important, including literacy, arithmatic, and history. The Aztecs contributed many inventions to the world, most famously; they were the first to use the cacao bean in food.
Human Sacrifice
Before the European Christians first encounter the civilization Human Sacrifice was very profound in Aztec civilization. Even though human sacrifice was widespread in middle america at that time, the Aztecs do it more extensively. For example at the santification of Tecnochtitlan Pyramid on 1487 the Aztecs reported of sacrification of tens thousands of prisoner over the span of four day.
As described by Spannish accounts [1], the Aztecs tore the heart from the sacrificed, alive (and sometimes, unborn foetuses). An afterward they rip the sacrificed limbs.
- ↑ Díaz, Bernal (2005, published posthumously in 1632). Historia verdadera de la conquista de Nueva España (Introducción y notas de Joaquín Ramírez Cabañas). Editorial Porrúa, 24.
