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Mask Of Xiuhtli Essay

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The Mask of Xiuhtecuhtli

Within the history of the Aztec tribe of Mexico lies many beautiful, yet revealing artifacts. The Aztecs of Mexico began as nomads, constantly moving as resources moved. The Aztecs then drove themselves into Mexico, ending their nomadic way of life in the early thirteenth century. The Aztecs grew a very successful way of living in their new capital city, Tenochtilán. Just a hundred years later, the Aztecs grew to be an empire, expanding their ideas throughout much of Mexico, and with ideas came many diverse artifacts. From the sun calendar to the Mask of Xiuhtecuhtli, the Aztecs became innovative.

The Mask of Xiuhtecuhtli came about within the Aztecs' religious beliefs. They shared many beliefs with the Mayan tribe, including human sacrifice. The Aztecs (during the sacrifices) wore masks representing deaths. Those masks were those that resembled death and their gods. The god of fire (Xiuhtecuhtli) was used within these rituals by mask. Xiuhtecuhtli was "thought to be the creator of all life." The Mask of Xiuhtecuhtli was made with a base of cedar wood and decorated with pieces of turquoise atop it. The turquoise was hand-cut and shaped to resemble the 3d …show more content…

The deity of Xiuhtecuhtli has been appreciated for many years by the Aztecs and still is held sacred today in the British Museum in London. Both the use of turquoise and the wood pine resin show how innovation is huge within the Aztec tribe as said previously. The connection among the Mesoamerican lands, resources, and the tribe show how much of an impact not only the artifact had on Mexico but the ancient Aztec tribe and culture as well. From the base of cedar wood to the decorum of turquoise gems, held by wood pine resin, we see how much detail was put into this piece, and how it remains in today's

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