Facts about Aztec Sculpture

1. 05

   Monumental Aztec sculpture reached its peak during the late imperial period, roughly the 14th through early 16th centuries, centered in the capital Tenochtitlan.

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2. 04

   Skilled Aztec sculptors worked primarily with volcanic stone, including basalt and andesite, materials abundantly available in the highland Mexican environment.

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3. 03

   Aztec sculpture frequently depicted deities, with figures like Coatlicue, the earth goddess, rendered in massive stone form combining human and serpent imagery.

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4. 02

   Many Aztec sculptures were painted in vivid colors, though most surviving stone pieces have lost their original polychrome surfaces over centuries.

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5. 01

   The colossal Stone of the Sun, a famous example of Aztec sculpture, measures roughly 3.6 meters in diameter and weighs approximately 24 metric tons.

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