Posted on 03/25/2022 10:46:55 AM PDT by nickcarraway
Archaeologists associated with Mexico’s National Institute of Archaeology and History (INAH) made a strange discovery earlier this month at the Templo Mayor, the temple complex at the center of Mexico City, formerly ancient capital of Tenochtitlan.
The INAH archaeologists uncovered a ritual offering of starfish, about 160 in total, enveloping the skeleton of a jaguar, according to a recent video released by the institute. Like the majority of the offerings found at the Templo Mayor, the starfish were dedicated to the two-sided god Huehueteotl-Xiuhtecuhtli, who represents both water and fire, agriculture and war.
The starfish were first discovered in 2019 when archaeologists kept finding small white stones in a layer they were excavating in an altar. Their scientists quickly saw that they were the bones of starfish, which was further confirmed by the imprint of a starfish which was found mostly intact. The starfish found there are believed to all belong to the same species, Nidorellia armata, or the chocolate-chip starfish, on account of its black spots and beige pattern.
Archaeologists Created a VR Rendering of an Ancient Pompeian Home That You Can Walk Through Five 4,000 Year Old Painted Tombs Discovered in Egypt The bones of these marine creatures make up a stunning 80% of the composition of layer they were studying, making it the largest documented starfish offerings in Mexico. Amidst this pile of starfish bones the skeleton of a jaguar was revealed.
“It’s very interesting because, if you think of it, the pattern on the starfish looks very similar to the pelt of a jaguar,” archaeologist Miguel Báez Pérez said in an interview with INAH. “That’s probably the reason they chose this species but we still need to do an exhaustive review to confirm that this is the only species present.”
The starfish remains are being cleaned and bagged to be further analyzed at the Institute of Marine Scientists at the National Autonomous University of Mexico.
“The offerings tell us about the conquest of marine regions, coastal regions and obviously the extraction of precious materials,” said Miguel Báez Pérez.
The Ars Technica version is good, but it doesn't mention the jaguars: Largest Aztec temple was decorated with over 100 starfish
Discovery of the largest deposit of starfish, discovered in Templo Mayor
Ping
Starfish are evil. They’re pentagram fish.
Idiot carved a starfish in his head.
Lots of weirdness, coupled with some remarkable accomplishments.
[[Strange jaguar?]]
Did it have 8 legs and 7 eyes or something? Maybe it self identified as a wild pig?
Weird find though. Wonder if the Aztec site where it was found was near ocean?
He doesn’t look mentally disturbed at all /s
I apologize to all starfish.
“Starfish are evil. They’re pentagram fish.”
Chocolate starfish? :P
I’m not necessarily saying its aliens...but its DEFINETLY aliens.
Why the hell can’t they RIP. I do not approve this digging stuff. It’s not what was intended.
Ah! The power of a headline!
It’s well known that the Aztecs worshipped 2 gods, the god of War and the god of Death. There was nothing redeeming in that culture.
Some people like chocolate.
Interesting concept, and not all that far fetched. God did rearrange the land masses at theme of the flood. After all the one one continent of the pre flood world was populated by probably over 8 to 10 billion people. After God created the continents the evidence of antediluvian would be on every known modern continent and island along with the evidence we see around the world under the oceans and seas.
Thanks nickcarraway.
Earthquake reveals giant Aztec snakehead beneath Mexico City university
News
By Owen Jarus published 1 day ago
Researchers are conserving a rare snakehead from the Aztecs that still retains its painted colors from hundreds of years ago.
https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/earthquake-reveals-giant-aztec-snakehead-beneath-mexico-city-university
Thanks BL!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.