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Time to write a second postcard home (in your notebook). After visiting the Templo Mayor (the Grand Palace) you need to write a postcard to someone telling them everything you learned while visiting.

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The ruins of these pyramids were discovered in the 1960s by accident by someone working on the tunnels for the subway. They had mostly been destroyed by the Spanish when they took the stones to build their own churches and buildings.

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The temple on the top left is to honor the god Tlacoc (rain). The temple on the top right is to honor the god Huitzilopochtli (war).

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The current sun (our sun) is the sun of movement or earthquakes. This image along with other suns can be seen on the famous Aztec calendar. Other images in the calendar are the eagle, the nopal, and the snake representing different Aztec myths.
The snake represents the god Quetzacoatl. He was the god of many things including wind and learning.

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There are four paintings above the entrance, each representing one of the first four suns. The first four suns in order are; 1. the jaguar 2. the sun of wind 3. the sun of rain 4. the sun of water

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We are going to walk from the Market to our next site, the Templo Mayor. Study the scene.
1. What do you think the purpose of the buildings is?
2. The Aztecs believed there was a series of four suns before the current one. They believed each time the sun died, all the people died too. They believed the gods had made sacrifices for them and they in turn had to sacrifice blood to the fifth (current) sun. This was a way of showing respect. It was also believed to be necessary to offer blood to feed the sun, otherwise it would die and all life would end.

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Study the painting of market below (click the image to make it bigger).
1. List all of the things you notice in the painting.
2. The figure in the center is most likely NOT the emperor (even if this was the intention of the artist). The emperor rarely left the palace and if he did he was accompanied by many people and people bowed before him.
3. Most likely the figure in the middle is a judge. There were always numerous judges and soldiers on hand to settle any disputes immediately.
4. When trading, there weren't any set prices. They would haggle over prices.
5. Try to find any evidence of blood in this painting.
6. The painter is Diego Rivera.

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Time to write a postcard home (you will do this in your notebook). We are taking a lunch break on a hill overlooking the Plaza. Write a postcard to someone back home describing what you have learned so far on this trip.

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Much of our trip will take place here in the city Plaza. What amazed most visitors to the city was the huge size of the Aztec capital. Studies indicate that the population was between 200,000-500,000. It was the fifth largest city in the world at that time.

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View the Aztec Empire map below (click on it to make it bigger).
1. What do you notice?
2. Tenochtitlan was built on an island. Why do you think it was built on an island?
3. When did the Aztecs first take power?
4. When did Christopher Columbus arrive in the New World?
5. When did the Spaniards arrive with Cortes?

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You are going to travel to the city of Tenochtitlan to see the fabulous Aztec capital. The Aztec capital was one of the five largest cities in the entire world and was incredibly beautiful and well-organized. During your visit you will check out two key places; the market and the main temple.

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Welcome to Aztlan. A long time ago, the Aztecs originally lived in a land called Aztlan. It was located in what is today northwestern Mexico and southwestern U.S. The Aztecs will eventually make their way south and found the city of Tenochtitlan.