Cultural Artifact Showcase by Morgan Hahn

Instructions

mhahn44 — 2025-05-14 02:28:58 UTC

Choose one significant cultural artifact or architectural feature from either the Inca, Aztec, or Mayan Empire
Create a drawing or use the AI image tool to generate an image of your chosen artifact
Create a post in the appropriate empire’s section & remember to make your name the subject line
Add your image and complete all required information
Review your classmates’ posts and engage in discussions through comments
You should discuss. This means: asking questions, responding with answers, sharing information, and giving kudos for new learning. You are commenting and talking as historians via this Padlet. (This also includes respectful, responsible commenting)
Include your source as an MLA citation at the bottom of your post or in a comment on your own post.

Note : Each artifact should only be chosen once - check existing posts before making your selection

Iris Woltman-Gold Mask at Chichen Itza

2025-05-14 16:07:56 UTC

The mask, specifically its gold material and design, indicates a network of trade and cultural exchange, as gold was not native to Chichen Itza. This suggests the Maya were connected to other Mesoamerican cultures, like the Mixtecs, for raw materials and artistic expertise

“Adobe Firefly.” Adobe.com, 2025, firefly.adobe.com/generate/image.

“Mask | Mixtec (Ñudzavui) or Maya.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/722157.

Carson blackburn-quipu

2025-05-14 16:12:01 UTC

The quipu was made in the Inca empire and was a necklace with multiple colors with knots in different areas in each string and was used to record things like population,information, harvests and even use to communicate with others.

https://english.elpais.com/science-tech/2022-12-20/knots-representing-numbers-the-mathematics-of-the-incas.html

Ang Rudd

2025-05-14 16:15:08 UTC

Textiles were very important in the Inca Empire because they held social status, and they served as a currency. People who worked for the state received cloth and then the conquered people were required to make the textiles as a tribute. The textiles were highly valuable as they were seen as the identity of a person.

Adobe Firefly, firefly.adobe.com/generate/image. Accessed 14 May 2025.

Wyatt Folston/Sun Stone

2025-05-14 16:17:48 UTC

The sun stone was also called the calendar stone. Even though it was not a functioning calendar.

https://www.worldhistory.org/Aztec_Art/#:~:text=The%20Sun%20Stone%2C%20also%20known,the%20stone%20was%20carved%20c.

Annika Maestas: The Tumi

2025-05-14 16:19:10 UTC

The Tumi is a tool that the Inca used to perform brain surgery. It was used to cut open the skin and the outer layer of the scalp in a surgery now known as a craniotomy. It is typically made of copper or bronze. It was also used to remove pieces of the skull.

figurines made of gold and silver Stephen marta

2025-05-14 16:22:28 UTC

The golden llamas, specifically Incan gold llamas were used by the Inca civilization, not the Aztecs, for various purposes. They were not only important for transportation, wool, and food, but also held symbolic significance, representing the sun god's power and being used in rituals and offerings.

“Gold Llama.” History Today, 5 May 2022, https://www.historytoday.com/archive/foundations/gold-llama. Accessed 14 May 2025.

Zach-Keros

2025-05-14 16:22:34 UTC

Charlie M./ Feather shield

2028cmcdonald — 2025-05-14 16:22:58 UTC

This is the Aztec feather shield, and its detailed work is a resemblance as an important figure in Aztec mythology and lore, the coyote. The shield is constructed of 4 kinds of feathers scarlet macaw, rose roseate spoonbill, yellow oriole, and blue cotinga held on by the brading work of the inner bark of an agave tree. The symbol of war on the front make many believe that this was used as a ceremonial armor, and would be used by high ranking soldiers.

Baker, Jordan. “Famous Aztec Artifacts and What They Tell Us about Aztec Society.” East India Blogging Co., 5 Mar. 2023, eastindiabloggingco.com/2023/03/04/famous-aztec-artifacts/.

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Lach Gebhart - Calendar Stone/Stone of the Sun

2025-05-14 16:24:47 UTC

The Aztec Stone of the Sun is to our knowledge a calendar that shows how the Aztecs viewed time and the cosmos. It is a 260 day calendar that was carved out of a single piece of stone, and it weighs over 20 tons. It is very historically significant because it allows present day humans to understand how past civilizations viewed times. The stone of the Sun was very culturally significant to the Aztecs because it also served as a sacrificial altar and depicts the Aztec god of earth in the center. It is likely that large rituals were performed with this artifact. As well carvings in the stone show the Aztecs relationship with the Sun and how it impacted their culture and religion.

Getty Research Institute. “Obsidian Mirror-Travels: The Aztec Calendar Stone (Getty Research Institute).” Getty Museum, 16 November 2010, https://www.getty.edu/research/exhibitions_events/exhibitions/obsidian_mirror/aztec_calendar_stone.html. Accessed 14 May 2025.

Blake Ong - Conopa

2025-05-14 16:28:12 UTC

A Conopa is a type of container, often shaped like a llama or an alpaca. Conopas are used by the Inca civilization for ceremonial offerings. They were also buried in animal corrals to promote health, fertility, and well-being of herds. Conopas were primarily made of stone, but they can be made in wood or silver.

“Inca Artist(S) | Conopa (Votive Effigy) | Inca | the Metropolitan Museum of Art.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2015, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/315771.

Wylie Nachazel Aztec Pyramids

2025-05-14 16:36:24 UTC

The Aztecs' Pyramids were primarily monumental structures built for religious purposes, serving as temples and burial sites. The most famous pyramids built by the Aztecs were the Teotihuacán pyramids. This empire is over a thousand years old. The Aztecs had also used the pyramids for astronomy.

https://www.history.com/articles/pyramids-in-latin-america

Armando Guerrero: Aztec Death Whistle

2028jguerrero — 2025-05-15 01:17:32 UTC

The Aztec death whistle, a clay resonator shaped like a human skull, was likely made for ceremonial and religious purposes, particularly during rituals involving death and sacrifice. While speculation exists about its use in warfare or as a communication tool, its connection to Mictlantecuhtli, the Aztec god of death, and its frequent discovery near sacrificial remains strongly suggest a ceremonial function. The Aztecs were polytheistic, worshipping a wide range of gods and performing religious ceremonies, sacrifices, and ritual games. They used a pictographic writing system to record their history, calendar, laws, and religious knowledge.

https://history.howstuffworks.com/history-vs-myth/montezuma.htm

Zayden Davey- Eagle warrior statue

2028zdavey — 2025-05-15 02:20:48 UTC

A Eagle warrior statue was a statue, this statue was based on a warrior of the Aztecs. It often provided insight into the Aztecs warfare. The actual Eagle warrior was one of the best most elite corps of the Aztec Empire. The picture is showing the armor these warriors wore that made them look like eagles with the feather shape design and texture. These statue often stood in the house of the eagle. Which These represented religions and militaristic purposes, as these were seen as sacred statues. These statue were made out of ceramics and stood at 6ft tall.

Baker, Jordan. “Famous Aztec Artifacts and What They Tell Us About Aztec Society.” East India Blogging Co., 4 March 2023, https://eastindiabloggingco.com/2023/03/04/famous-aztec-artifacts/. Accessed 14 May 2025.

Cadence Hamilton-Inca Tunics

2028chamilton — 2025-05-15 18:58:33 UTC

Inca Empire tunics, called "uncu," were special garments worn by people in the Inca society, like kings and important figures. These tunics were made from cotton or alpaca wool and were often decorated with colorful patterns and symbols. The designs on the tunics showed a person’s social rank, job, or region. For example, government officials and nobles wore tunics with more complex patterns and bright colors, while common people had simpler designs. The tunics were important as clothing and a way to show identity and status within the Inca Empire.

Michael C. Rockefeller. (2021). Tunic. Metmuseum.org. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/313152

Abree Peter/Sun Stone

2025-05-15 18:58:43 UTC

The Sun Stone had a other name besides sun stone, it was calendar stone. It was the most famous Aztec monument. The importance the Sun Stone for the Aztecs representation of the Aztec concert of time but also the cynical nature, but the relationship between the gods and humans https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/ominous-new-interpretation-of-aztec-sun-stone/#:~:text=The%20Aztec%20Empire%20dominated%20much,it%20was%20uncovered%20in%201790.

Noah Irvine- Keros

2028nirvine — 2025-05-15 18:59:43 UTC

Kerros were tumbler shaped vases used for drinking and storage. They were often used for 2 people to drink together so each kerro was in a pair. Kerros were mainly used for drinking chicha, which was a kind of beer made out of corn.

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/316839

Everett Copeland - Bonampak Murals

2028ecopeland — 2025-05-15 19:00:29 UTC

Bonampak is the Mayan word for "Painted Wall", which is exactly what the Bonampak Murals are. Theses vivid paintings show recollections of many different, important events throughout Mayan history. These Murals are inside of a room on top of a pyramid in the lacandon jungles of Chiapas, and were dated back to the year 790. They show stories of peace, prosperity, war, famine, traditions, and rituals. These murals are significant, as they are some of the best preserved paintings, and records overall, from the ancient Mayans. They also provide a window into Mayan life during that time.

Source:

Ugc. “Murals of Bonampak.” Atlas Obscura, Atlas Obscura, 12 June 2019, www.atlasobscura.com/places/murals-of-bonampak.

Stone of the Sun

2025-05-15 19:00:39 UTC

The Aztec Stone of the Sun is a calendar that shows how the Aztecs saw time. It is a part of history because it allows people in the modern day to get an understanding of how past people view time and life. It is a 260 day calendar. It meant a lot to the Aztecs because it also resembled the sacrificed altar and depicts of the Aztec Gods. This piece and stone carvings in walls showed the relationship they had with the sun and what the sun mean to their culture.

Mavrakis, Emily. “Ominous new interpretation of Aztec sun stone.” Florida Museum, 27 March 2017, https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/ominous-new-interpretation-of-aztec-sun-stone/. Accessed 15 May 2025.

Doug mowrey-Conopa

2025-05-15 19:03:08 UTC

A conopa is a figure often shaped like a Llama or an alpaca. Conopas where most often made out of stone but sometimes where made in wood or silver. Conopas where used in the Inca civilization as and offering. Conopas were offerings for the health and fertility of animal flocks.

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/315771

The Temple of Kukulcan

2028tmcwilliams — 2025-05-15 19:05:00 UTC

The Temple of Kukulcan is a true testament to the architectural prowess of the Mayans, as it is still in good structural condition today. The Maya built it so during the spring or fall equinox, it appears as though there is a serpent along the stairs. This is shown in the picture above, on the left staircase. This is because this Temple is dedicated to the Mayan feathered serpent god, Kukulcan. Although it was made to assist in their astronomy, it was made with incredible precision. Each side has 91 steps, meaning 364 steps in total, with the addition of the platform, that makes 365 steps, or the amount of days in a lunar year. The Temple of Kukulcán is truly an incredible feat of the Mayan people, showcasing their mastery of architecture and astronomy.

“El Castillo: Kukulkan Pyramid.” Chichen Itza, www.chichenitza.com/chichen-itza-pyramid. Accessed 15 May 2025.

Isabella. “Kukulkan Temple of Chichen Itza.” Absolute Adventure Mexico, 7 Apr. 2025, absolute-adventure-mexico.com/mayan-civilization/kukulkan-temple-of-chichen-itza/.

Aztec Pyramids-Jenna Simon

2028jsimon — 2025-05-15 19:07:27 UTC

The Aztec Pyramids are significant because of the technology that the people lacked when making them that we could have never done without. The Aztec Pyramids have symbolism all over them as someone who has seen them in person they really are insane structures. They have a god that is front and center above the doorway believed to be the god of rain. they also worshipped a panther god and a snake god. the stair way up the pyramids was made in a way where on certain nights their shadow would create a snake on the ground for only a short time. they also have a sacrificing building near the pyramid where they would sacrifice to the gods. the one I went to had a cenote under the temple/pyramid where they would dump their sacrifices and also gold for the gods. they also had a hoop on the sides of buildings where they would play a game, they had huge flawless walls separating areas and protecting the Temple. It truly is mystery how they created something out of nothing.

Works Cited

TAFER Resorts. “Villa Del Palmar Cancun.” Villa Del Palmar Cancun, 2025, www.villapalmarcancun.com/discover-cancun/places-to-visit/mayan-ruins. Accessed 15 May 2025.

Cancun-Adventure.com, 2024, www.cancun-adventure.com/en/tour/chichen-itza-express/.

Kasian Wyant/Gold mask

2025-05-15 19:10:43 UTC

The Maya civilization used Gold mask for various reasons,including funerary rites,religious ceremonies,and to adron elite individuals.These masks were often made from thin sheets of gold,and the level of craftsmanship and material used indicated their importance.

oliver frank-Palenque Sarcophagus Lid

2028ofrank — 2025-05-15 19:11:32 UTC

Pakal's sarcophagus lid is made of a single stone. It is rectangular in shape, measuring between 245 and 290 millimeters (roughly 9-11.5 inches) thick in different places. It is 2.2 meters wide by 3.6 meters long (about 7 feet by 12 feet). The massive stone weighs seven tons. There are carvings on the top and sides. The massive stone would never have fit down the stairways from the top of the Temple of the Inscriptions. Pakal's tomb was sealed first and then the temple was built around it. When Ruz Lhuillier discovered the tomb, he and his men painstakingly lifted it with four jacks, raising it a little bit at a time while putting small pieces of wood in the gaps to hold it in place. The tomb remained open until late 2010, when the massive lid was painstakingly lowered once again, covering Pakal's remains, which had been returned to his tomb in 2009.

The carved edges of the sarcophagus lid narrate events from the life of Pakal and those of his royal forebears. The southern side records the date of his birth and the date of his death. The other sides mention several other lords of Palenque and the dates of their deaths. The northern side shows Pakal's parents, along with the dates of their deaths.

https://www.thoughtco.com/the-sarcophagus-of-pakal-2136165

mason

2028manderson1 — 2025-05-15 19:12:47 UTC

Sculpture for the ancient Maya spans all media, from the miniature to the monumental, as artists gave shape to materials extracted from the landscape. Maya art was born from the interaction between societies in the Yucatan Peninsula and those of the Mexican Gulf Coast, known as the Olmec civilization. In the first millennium B.C., Maya artists began to sculpt in stone, stucco, wood, bone, shell, and fired clay. During the Classic Period (ca. 250–900), kings and queens of powerful city-states, such as Tikal, Calakmul, Palenque, and Copán, commissioned artworks to cover their royal court buildings and their regal bodies. the most common mortal rulers and Supernatural themes common medium they are lost to observers today://www.metmuseum.org/essays/ancient-maya-sculpture

Brenner Colman: The Tumi

2028bcolman — 2025-05-15 19:13:19 UTC

The Tumi would have been carried by dynastic rulers during state ceremonies to represent, in a more precious form, the copper knives used for animal sacrifices. The Tumi would also be used to complete brain surgery's but for the most part was used to complete sacrificial events.

“Ceremonial Knife (Tumi).” The Art Institute of Chicago, https://www.artic.edu/artworks/18757/ceremonial-knife-tumi. Accessed 15 May 2025.

James Butler - The Skull of the Smoking Mirror

2028jbutler — 2025-05-15 19:13:28 UTC

This mask, crafted by Aztec artists from a real human skull, was worn when Aztec priests were acting out Tezcatlipoca. Tezcatlipoca was an enemy of Quetzalcoatl, a sun god worshiped by the Aztecs. The skull was lined with deer skin, making it more comfortable to wear. Long deerskin straps allowed the skull to be worn. The mask was made with turquoise and oyster shells inside the nose. The materials to make the mask helped bring the people of the Aztec Empire together. The mask pieces were moved and taken from all parts of the Empire.

Work Cited

Cy Wilbacher

2025-05-15 19:15:07 UTC

These Knives were mainly used for sacrifices during ritual. They would cut out peoples hearts and offer them to the gods while the hearts still beat. The body would either be cremated or given to the warriors to eat. They were not just tools but represented power for there politics and warriors.

Cartwright, Mark. “Aztec Ceremonial Knife.” World History Encyclopedia, https://www.worldhistory.org#organization, 12 May 2025, www.worldhistory.org/article/650/aztec-ceremonial-knife/#:~:text=The%20Aztec%20mosaic%2Dhandled%20knife,pieces%20of%20pale%20blue%20turquoise.

Wyatt Sorrels/ eagle warrior statue

2025-05-15 19:15:24 UTC

Eagle Warrior is a ceramic sculpture made by the Aztec artists that shows a warrior dressed in an eagle costume. Made of terracotta, a type of earthenware known for its reddish color, the Eagle Warrior was originally painted and adorned with feathers and weapons. His outstretched wings and arms suggest a gesture of flight. This sculpture was discovered during excavations at the main Mexica temple, called the Templo Mayor. This temple was located in the ceremonial center of Tenochtitlan, the capital city of the Mexica empire. The Templo Mayor consisted of a twin towered stepped pyramid dedicated to Tlaloc, the god of Rain, and Huitzilopochtli, the patron god of the Mexica, usually associated with war and fire. Jiménez, Maya. “Eagle Warrior (Mexica) (Article).” Khan Academy, www.khanacademy.org/humanities/art-americas/early-cultures/aztec-mexica/a/eagle-warrior-mexica.

Dorothy Jensen/ Coatlicue

2028djensen — 2025-05-15 19:15:26 UTC

The Coatlicue was made in the Aztec Empire. It was a 10-foot-tall stone statue of an Aztec God. There are at least 2 versions of this statue. In one version, it is depicted without a head. It does not seem to be used in any rituals.

Kilroy, Lauren. “Smarthistory – Coatlicue.” Smarthistory, https://smarthistory.org/coatlicue/. Accessed 15 May 2025.

Cole Espinosa- Chichen Itza Pyramid

2028cespinosa — 2025-05-15 19:15:44 UTC

The Chichen Itza Pyramid featured 365 steps, which was aligning with the Solar calendar at that time. Showcasing the Mayans advanced understanding of astronomy It was built between the 8th–12th century AD. The temple building is more formally designated by archaeologists as Chichen Itza. The building served as a temple. And was part of there cautul at that time so it was very very important and is still standing today. The temple consists of a series of square terraces with stairways up each of the four sides to the temple on top. Sculptures of plumed serpents run down the sides of the northern balustrade. All four sides of the temple have approximately 91 steps which, when added together and including the temple platform on top as the final "step", may produce a total of 365 steps. The structure is 24 m (79 ft) high.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Castillo,_Chichen_Itza

Peyton Young

2025-05-15 19:16:59 UTC

This sculptor that is created from Maya sculptor and is made out of bright green jadeite that is found in rivers or can be mined. This sculptor shows a human head that is wearing "Zoomorphic". The head Pendant celebrities a rulers 20 year anniversary of the rulers region, and also the blue green color of the face is a rare material that demestates agriculture, and scared water. Doyle, James. “Ancient Maya Sculpture - the Metropolitan Museum of Art.” Metmuseum.org, Apr. 2016, www.metmuseum.org/essays/ancient-maya-sculpture.

Evelyn Pires - Engraved spouted jar

2025-05-15 19:26:12 UTC

The Engraved spouted jar This spouted vessel is one of the most elegantly sculpted stone containers in the corpus of Maya art. Its form with the vertical spout parallel to the central axis of the main chamber is known from the late 1st millennium BCE and is especially related to chocolate consumption. The ancient Maya would inject air into the spout so that the bubbling effect would produce a frothy spume on the surface of the savory chocolate drink.

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/318346

Andre/Aztec sun stone

2025-05-15 20:47:28 UTC

sunstone has always been associated with light, joy and optimism. its ability to refract light and shine with a golden glow has earned it a special place in art and spirituality. Cultures the world over have used it to celebrate the sun,and it cycles,recognizing the stone as a symbol of vitality,energy and renewal. Sunstone with it's powers of the sun and light it clears all the chakras, restore joy and nurture the spirit. by energizing the base and sacral chakra this stone stimulates leadership.

Oregon sunstone - healing properties, color, Power & Facts. Gemexi. (n.d.). https://www.gemexi.com/gemstones/oregon-sunstone

Milana Wood- Deity figure

2028mwood — 2025-05-16 18:31:12 UTC

A deity figure is a jade stone representing an animal sitting cross legged with his arms and hands bent towards him known as a ¨crab claw¨ position to the Mayans. The animal is known to be a supernatural avian named the Principal Bird Deity. It represents a human version of someone wearing the mask on their face. The eyes are used to identify the supernatural animal in Mayan art. The material of the statue represents a special meaning and references a wet reptilian nature. The principal bird deity was a significant god in the early Maya civilization. It represented the most precious stone in the world because jade was very rare. The work to make it was very intensive and often took a long time. It played a significant role in economic exchange systems and displayed power and wealth in belief systems. artist(s), Maya. “Maya Artist(s): Deity Figure: Maya.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/313262. Accessed 16 May 2025.

Larissa Myers - Death Whistle

2025-05-18 00:11:49 UTC

The Aztecs had used a certain type of whistle, called a death whistle, that they used for a couple of things. These death whistles are supposed to sound like screams. They were used during human sacrifices, to prepare the victims. The whistles themselves were anywhere from 1.2 to 2 inches long, and were made to resemble Mictlantecuhtli, the Aztec lord of the underworld. Made out of clay, the whistles made "a shrill, piercing, and scream-like sound quality when played with intensive air pressure," stated one research team. The death whistles were often found in graves of people that archeologists assumed were sacrificial victims. When researchers conducted a study to see what part of the brain reacts when listeners hear the sound of the whistle, they found that the emotional response area of the brain becomes active. In conclusion, the Aztec death whistle is an interesting part of their culture and shows a unique insight into what a piece of their life was like.

This a replica, and not an actual death whistle, but here is what they sound like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x12hyuonfFI

Sources:

Killgrove, Kristina. “Aztec 'death whistles,' used to prepare sacrifice victims to descend to the underworld, scramble your brain, scans reveal.” Aztec 'death whistles,' used to prepare sacrifice victims to descend to the underworld, scramble your brain, scans reveal, Live Science, 22 November 2024, https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/shrill-piercing-and-scream-like-aztec-death-whistles-create-a-sense-of-fear-and-terror-in-listeners-brain-scans-reveal.