Undoubtedly, one of the most fascinating deities of the Mexica worldview is that of Tlatecuhtli, lord and lady of the earth at the same time; of whom, despite his relevance, no temple is known but the Tlaltecuhtli monolith was found.
This work is a colossal relief carved in stone weighing approximately 12 tons; the largest of the Mexica culture found to date, even larger than the Stone of the Sun and the Coyolxauhqui Monolith.
The discovery of the Coyolxauhqui in the Templo Mayor
The discovery of the Tlaltecuhtli monolith
In 2006, the Government of the capital began foundation projects to build several works on a property next to the Casa de las Ajaracas, in the Historic Center; when a group of archaeologists discovered the colossal monolith of the Mexica deity on October 2 of that year.
To date, it is the largest Mexica sculpture that has been recovered; It was carved from lamprobolite andesite, a volcanic rock extracted from the Tenayuca hill and measures 4.17 by 3.62 meters; It has a depth of 38 centimeters and weighs about 12 tons.
Fortunately, restoration techniques made it possible to save its original polychrome and according to experts, it could have been part of the mortuary chamber of the tlatoani Ahuízotl. Likewise, it is estimated that it was carved in the last years of the Postclassic period, between the years 1502 and 1521 AD.
What does this stone relief represent?
As we have already mentioned, the work represents the Mexica deity Tlaltecuhtli, who gave birth and devoured human beings in a constant process in which the duality of life and death was present. Furthermore, according to Mexica mythology, Quetzalcóatl and Tezcatlipoca took the form of large snakes and divided the goddess into two parts, forming the earth and the sky.
Similarly, in the sculpture we can see the deity with curly hair, circular eyes and bird claws. Her legs are bent, alluding to the numerous births she carried out, that is, to life. Her skirt is decorated with skulls and bones, suggesting her proximity to death, and blood flows from her long tongue.
Finally, the Tlaltecuhtli monolith is exhibited in the Templo Mayor Museum, in the Historic Center of Mexico City.
Continue reading: The discovery of the Templo Mayor