Calendar stone (reproduction)

Museum number:

3-560

Permalink:

ark:/21549/hm21030000560

Alternate number:

33 (original number) and TEMP 2012.85 (associated catalog number, Cat. number lost by 2012)

Accession number:

Acc.172

Description:

Scaled cast reproduction of monolithic Aztec calendar stone, in box, crack down middle that has been repaired.

Donor:

Zelia Nuttall

Collection place:

Templo Mayor, Zocalo, Mexico City

Culture or time period:

Aztec (1300–1521 AD)

Collector:

Zelia Nuttall

Collection date:

ca. 1905

Materials:

Plaster (or ceramic)

Object type:

archaeology

Object class:

Calendars (documents)

Accession date:

1905

Department:

Casts and molds

Dimensions:

overall— height 2 inches and overall— diameter 11.2 inches

Comment:

From plate inside original packaging: Monolith known as the Aztec Calendar This monolith known as the Aztec calendar, is a monument to the sun. It belonged to the great temple of "TEOCALLI" of the Aztecs, situated where the cathedral stands now. In the year 1521, the Spaniards destroyed the Aztec temple and buried the stone which was discovered again in the year 1790, in front of the cathedral, in the main plaza of Mexico City. At the center of the stone and inside a circle, we see the face of the sun-god, marked with lines that indicate the facial painting particular to the sun-god, TONATIUH. Surrounding the face of this god, there is a figure known as the "NAHUI-OLLIN" (four movements of the sun, or the four seasons). This figure is composed by a solar ray in the center, and four squares. Inside each square there is a symbol representing one of the four catastrophes by which humanity and the sun itself perished at four different epochs, by water, air, fire, and at last by the earth itself. The next circle shows 20 squares. Inside of each square there is the name of one of the 20 days of the Aztec month. Reading to the left they are as follows: Crocodile, Air, House, Lizard, Snake, Death, Deer, Rabbit, Water, Dog, Monkey, Herb, Cane, Tiger, Eagle, Vulture, Movement, Flint, Rain, Flower. The Aztec year consisted of 18 months of 20 days each, and five more days added at the end of the year. These five days were called NEMONTEMI or days that do not count, and were considered luckless days. Surrounding the circle showing the symbols of the days, there is a band composed of square sections. Inside of each section there is a point at the center and four small bars at the corners. This is the symbol of the "CHALCHIHUITL" or precious stone (jade), related to the sun because the sun was considered as the most precious thing known. Dividing the monolith in 8 parts there are 8 pointed figures that represent the solar rays. Beyond this and encircling the monument there are two enormous fantastic fire-snakes called "XIUHCOATL." These snakes face each other at the lower part of the stone, and have trunks like an elephant, and front legs. The bodies of the snakes, divided in section show the symbol of the flame. In the open mouth of each fire-snake there is the face of a god. One is probably that of the god of Fire and the other of the Sun-god, "TONATIUH." In the upper part of the monument, and between the tails of the two fire snakes there is a square inside of which we can read the date "13 caña" (13 cane) which was the day according to the Aztecs that the sun was born. The original monolith weighs 57,000 pounds and is twelve feet high. Exact copy of the original, made by experts sold by F. Gonzalez Davila.

Loans:

S1963-1964 #38: John Muir School, Berkeley (November 18, 1963–November 21, 1963) and S1971-1972 #20: Club Juventad (September 30, 1971–October 13, 1971)

Images:

Legacy documentation: