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Eldar Kadymov | all galleries >> Galleries >> Viva Mexico ! > Aztec Model Of Universe, Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City
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17-OCT-2009

Aztec Model Of Universe, Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Temperature; +25C Wind; 0.0 m/sec Rain; None


The Aztec calendar, is the calendar system that was used by the Aztecs as well as other Pre-Columbian peoples of central Mexico. It is one of the Mesoamerican calendars, sharing the basic structure of calendars from throughout ancient Mesoamerica.

The calendar consisted of a 365-day calendar cycle called xiuhpohualli (year count) and a 260-day ritual cycle called tonalpohualli (day count). These two cycles together formed a 52 year "century," sometimes called the "calendar round." The xiuhpohualli is considered to be the agricultural calendar, since it is based on the sun, and the tonalpohualli is considered to be the sacred calendar.

The calendric year may have begun at some point in the distant past with the first appearance of the Pleiades (Tianquiztli) asterism in the east immediately before the dawn light. But due to the precession of the Earth's axis, it fell out of favor to a more constant reference point such as a solstice or equinox. Early Spanish chroniclers recorded it being celebrated in proximity with the Spring equinox.

The Aztec calendar stone, Mexica sun stone, or Stone of the Sun (Spanish: Piedra del Sol), is a large monolithic sculpture that was excavated in the Zócalo, Mexico City's main square, on December 17, 1790. Measuring about 3.6 metres (12 ft) in diameter, 1.22 metres (4 ft) in thickness and weighing 24 tonnes, the original basalt version is presently on display at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City's Chapultepec Park.

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André Mendonça10-Jun-2010 01:25
Os calendários Astecas são fascinantes!
Parabéns pela imagem e por todas as suas galerias. São lindas.
Merecem votos. Sempre!

Abraços
André Mendonça (Brasil)
Ann Cleeves28-Jan-2010 15:59
A marvellous object...and beasutifully photographed.
monica memoli27-Nov-2009 08:54
Impressive lighting!
Eldar Kadymov25-Nov-2009 03:28
Lemmi know if you need exact translation. What wouldn't I do for such lady ?! Stone is heavy...
Sabine Stetson25-Nov-2009 03:15
ooooooh, how much i wished, i could read this, all the symbols in all its complexity...thank you, eldar:)
Guest 20-Nov-2009 20:19
Love this one!
I agree with Frank, great civilization.
FrankB17-Nov-2009 04:24
fantastic civilization.....V