Unusual Aztec graves found: scientists explain ancient traditions

The National Institute of Anthropology and History reports a new discovery in Mexico. Experts discovered

unusual burials of children - among them there is a newborn baby and girls aged 6 and 8 years. The excavations took place in a working-class area north of Mexico City's historic center.

When the Spanish conquered the Aztec capital in 1521, they quickly drove the native Mexican population to the outskirts of the city, leaving the center for only Spanish homes.

According to archaeologists, the burials are datedbetween 1521 and 1620. Although the Spanish quickly outlawed most traditional ceremonies and religious practices, researchers found evidence that children were buried with Aztec-style grave goods.

The youngest, a newborn, was buried ina pot with other pots around it. Scientists explain that the convex shape of the pot imitates the shape of the uterus. It is not clear if the baby died before or after birth.

Another offering found at the site included the bones of a bird in a blue ceramic pot associated with water.

The older girl was buried with a large earthenwarean Aztec-style figurine depicting a female figure with a child in her arms. Her skull showed signs of possible anemia, malnutrition, or infection. All this indicates that the life of the indigenous population in the years after the conquest was difficult.

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