Mexican archaeologists find dwelling for Aztec survivors of Spanish conquest

Archaeologists in Mexico said Monday they have unearthed what they believe was a dwelling where upper class Aztecs who resisted the Spanish conquest tried to preserve their customs and traditions.

Burial at the Aztec site of Colhuacatonco belonging to the time of Spanish contact 
[Credit: María de la Luz Escobedo, INAH]

The structure, where Aztecs were also buried, is part of an old neighborhood in Mexico City called Colhuacatonco, famous for being a place where the Aztecs resisted the Spanish conquest in the 16th century, the National Institute of Anthropology said in a statement.

Human remains at the Aztec site of Colhuacatonco [Credit: María de la Luz Escobedo, INAH]

The new find buttresses the argument that Colhuacatonco put up passive resistance after the fall of Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec empire, said Maria de la Luz Escobedo, the archaeologist in charge of the project.

INAH archaeologists located a sunken patio and a small ceremonial site [Credit: Meltón Tapia, INAH]

"It is very likely that first and second generation descendants of Tenochtitlan people quietly carried out the burials of seven people (three adults and four children aged one to eight) using the traditions of their ancestors," she was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the anthropology institute.

Characters with western traits wearing hats [Credit: Meliton Tapia, INAH]

Archaeological teams found skeletons that were nearly complete and buried in the fetal position, and also many bone fragments, according to a video released by the institute.

Bird-shaped whistles made with the emerging technique of glazing [Credit: Meliton Tapia, INAH]

The burials were done in the corners of the dwelling area and at the entrances, and have been dated to the time of Aztec contact with the Spaniards.

Funeral offerings were found: a small figure of a coyote, a bracelet with shells, two small knives made of obsidian and ceramics from that era.

Figurine dating between 1325 to 1521 [Credit: Melitón Tapia, INAH]

Objects were also found that suggest a mixing of the two cultures, such as figurines of people with non-Aztec features and wearing hats.

"What we detect in the materials is 'that which is Mexican,' the blending that began to take place after the Spanish conquest was complete," said Escobedo.

The rooms of the dwelling were built with stone, suggesting they were for important Aztec people and their relatives rather than common folk.

The most striking feature is a three meter by four meter (10 foot by 13 foot) area that was probably used for ceremonial acts.

Its polished and well-preserved floors have a design in the center, showing a circle with black spokes -- possibly a representation of a shield.

Source: AFP [July 05, 2017]