A Chacmool figure holding a bowl in the ruins of Templo Mayor in Mexico City by CyArkCyArk
Found in the heart of modern Mexico City, the Templo Mayor was one of the main temples of Tenochtitlan, the former Aztec capital. Largely destroyed by the Spanish in 1521, only a few of its many treasures remained intact, including this stunning statue of Chac Mool.
Chac Mool was a common representation throughout the Aztec world, possibly made in honor of fallen warriors who were making offerings to the gods. Let's take a closer look at the Templo Mayor Chac Mool in 3D.
Chac Mool (2016-06-12) by CyArkCyArk
Chac Mool adopts the usual position of reclining, with bent arms and legs, and with the head turned 90 degrees from the body.
The statue holds a cuauhxicalli, or traditional offering bowl, that would be used to make offerings to the gods of pulque, tortillas, tamales, or more. The rim of the bowl is decorated with feathers and jewels.
The figure is well adorned with ear flaps, bracelets, and necklaces made from stone beads.
The sandals are decorated with ornamental sacrificial knives.
At the bottom of the sculpture there are various items associated with water, which suggest the cold environment found in the underworld, and also as a tribute to Tlaloc, the god of rain.
The statue stands 1.2m wide, 0.8m high and 0.5m deep, making it one of the largest in the Templo Mayor to have survived.
A view of Templo Mayor with the skyline of Mexico City in the background by CyArkCyArk
Want to know more about the Templo Mayor?
You can discover more of Mexico's most important cultural and historical treasures here.
