The Aztecs: Cannibalism as a Supposed Dietary Necessity

The Aztecs: Cannibalism as a Supposed Dietary Necessity
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This article explores the controversial topic of the Aztecs' supposed practice of cannibalism. Some people, including archaeologists, have suggested that

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Slide1The Aztecs The  Aztecs Cannibalism:  a  supposed  dietary necessity Cannibalism:  a  supposed  dietary necessity

Slide2The issue The  issue Some  people  (archeologists,  actually)  have  said  that  the Aztec  practiced  human  sacrifice  because  their  diet  did not  include  enough  protein. Some  people  (archeologists,  actually)  have  said  that  the Aztec  practiced  human  sacrifice  because  their  diet  did not  include  enough  protein. Some  people  (archeologists,  actually)  have  said  that  the Aztecs  had  no  need  to  kill  people  to  get  their  protein Some  people  (archeologists,  actually)  have  said  that  the Aztecs  had  no  need  to  kill  people  to  get  their  protein

Slide3The Point? The  Point? Aztec  diet  had  enough  protein Aztec  diet  had  enough  protein Aztecs  practiced  human  sacrifice  around the  time  of  harvest Aztecs  practiced  human  sacrifice  around the  time  of  harvest Aztec  human  sacrifice  functioned  as  a “Thanksgiving”  to  the  Gods. Aztec  human  sacrifice  functioned  as  a “Thanksgiving”  to  the  Gods.

Slide4Were the  Aztecs  ‘vegetarians’? Were  the  Aztecs  ‘vegetarians’? The  answer  is  NO The  answer  is  NO Armadillo Armadillo Pocket  Gopher (Tozan) Pocket  Gopher (Tozan) Weasels   (cuztli) Weasels   (cuztli) Rattle  snakes Rattle  snakes Mice Mice They  also  ate They  also  ate Iguanas Iguanas Turkeys Turkeys Dogs Dogs Fish Fish Frogs Frogs Axolotl Axolotl Fish  eggs Fish  eggs

Slide5Aztecs also  ate Aztecs  also  ate Corn Corn Beans Beans Chia Chia Amaranth Amaranth

Slide6What about  Human  Sacrifice? What  about  Human  Sacrifice? Well,  it  did  happen… Well,  it  did  happen… Human  sacrifice  meant  some  meat  for  the  elite  (nobles) Human  sacrifice  meant  some  meat  for  the  elite  (nobles) Only  the  extremities  of  the  body  of  sacrificed  victims were  used Only  the  extremities  of  the  body  of  sacrificed  victims were  used Many  festivals  were  dedicated  to  Tlaloc  and  victims were  usually  buried,  not  eaten. Many  festivals  were  dedicated  to  Tlaloc  and  victims were  usually  buried,  not  eaten.

Slide7Aztec monthChristian* calendar Agricultural†cycle Ritual ceremonies‡  Dry season 1. Atlcualo 02/14 to 03/05 Children sacrificed to Tlaloc               2. Tlacaxipehualiztli 03/06 to 03/25 Big kill, children to Tlaloc         3. Tozozoztontli 03/26 to 04/14 Children to Tlaloc         4. Hueytozoztli 04/15 to 05/04  Rainy season 5. Toxcatl 05/05 to 05/24 Planting of corn Eating of victims possible but not mentioned      6. Etzalcualiztl 05/25 to 06/13 Planting of corn        7. Tecuilhuitontli 06/14 to 07/03          8. Hueytecuilhuitl 07/04 to 07/23 Time of scarcity      9. Miccailhuitl 07/24 to 08/12     10. Xocothuetzi 08/13 to 09/01 No killing, no victims eaten     11. Ochpaniztli 09/02 to 09/21 Fruit harvest Harvest feast 12. Teotleco 09/22 to 10/11   13. Tepeilhuitl 10/12 to 10/31 Corn harvest Big kill and eating   14. Quecholli 11/01 to 11/20 Corn harvest 

Slide8Human Sacrifice  and  Harvest Human  Sacrifice  and  Harvest Aztec  month Aztec  month Christian*  calendar Christian*  calendar Agricultural†cycle Agricultural†cycle Ritual  ceremonies‡  Ritual  ceremonies‡     13.  Tepeilhuitl    13.  Tepeilhuitl 10/12  to  10/31 10/12  to  10/31 Corn  harvest Corn  harvest Big  kill  and  eating  Big  kill  and  eating   14.  Quecholli  14.  Quecholli 11/01  to  11/20 11/01  to  11/20 Corn  harvest  Corn  harvest  Dry  season Dry  season 15.  Panquetzaliztli 15.  Panquetzaliztli 11/21  to  12/10 11/21  to  12/10 Corn  harvest Corn  harvest Biggest  kill  and  eating  Biggest  kill  and  eating  16.  Atemoztli 16.  Atemoztli 12/11  to  12/30 12/11  to  12/30 Corn  harvest Corn  harvest No  killing,  no  victims eaten No  killing,  no  victims eaten 17.  Tititl 17.  Tititl 12/31  to  01/19 12/31  to  01/19 Eating  of  victims possible  but  not mentioned Eating  of  victims possible  but  not mentioned 18.  Izcalli 18.  Izcalli 01/20  to  02/08 01/20  to  02/08 No  killing,  no  victims eaten  No  killing,  no  victims eaten 

Slide9ConclusionConclusion It  is  generally  agreed  that  the  Aztecs practiced  ritual  cannibalism  but  there  is  no agreement  about  the  extent  of  this practice. It  is  generally  agreed  that  the  Aztecs practiced  ritual  cannibalism  but  there  is  no agreement  about  the  extent  of  this practice. There  is  no  need  to  cite  ecological  disaster or  stress  in  the  Aztec  Empire  to  say  they practiced  cannibalism There  is  no  need  to  cite  ecological  disaster or  stress  in  the  Aztec  Empire  to  say  they practiced  cannibalism The  Aztec  diet  did  not  have  a  need  for  a daily  source  of  protein  or  a  supplement. The  Aztec  diet  did  not  have  a  need  for  a daily  source  of  protein  or  a  supplement.

Slide10Thanks!Thanks!