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The
team uncovered in March the facade and eastern side of the
tower, as well as 119 human skulls of men, women and children,
adding to hundreds previously found, according to the National
Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).
The tower, approximately five meters (16.4 feet) in diameter,
was first discovered five years ago.
It is believed to be part of the Huey Tzompantli, a huge array
of skulls that struck fear into the Spanish conquistadores when
they captured the city under Hernan Cortes in 1521.
The cylindrical structure is near the huge Metropolitan
Cathedral built over the Templo Mayor, one of the main temples
of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan, now modern day Mexico City.
"The Templo Mayor continues to surprise us, and the Huey
Tzompantli is without doubt one of the most impressive
archaeological finds of recent years in our country," Mexican
Culture Minister Alejandra Frausto said in a INAH statement.
Archaeologists have identified three construction phases of the
tower, which dates back to between 1486 and 1502.
The tower's original discovery surprised anthropologists, who
had been expecting to find the skulls of young male warriors,
but also unearthed the crania of women and children, raising
questions about human sacrifice in the Aztec Empire.
"Although we can't say how many of these individuals were
warriors, perhaps some were captives destined for sacrificial
ceremonies," said archaeologist Raul Barrera.
"We do know that they were all made sacred," he added. "Turned
into gifts for the gods or even personifications of deities
themselves."
(Reporting by Cassandra Garrison, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
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