Latest news with #Aztecs
Time of India
5 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Archaeologists discover 800-year-old bones that were used as musical instruments in the Aztec empire
Image credits: X Archaeologists discovered 29 ancient human bones along the coast of South Texas that had unusual markings, suggesting they may have carried a purpose beyond death. After performing an in-depth analysis, historians suggested that the group of hunter-gatherers who once lived in the area likely created music by transforming these bones into musical instruments. Dr Matthew Taylor, who works as a biological anthropologist at Augusta University in Georgia, identified a musical rasp fashioned from a human humerus while studying the artefacts. As per reports from IFLScience, the item resembled an omichicahuaztli, an instrument used by pre-Hispanic Mexican cultures, including the civilization of the Aztecs. The bones date back to the Late Prehistoric era (AD 700-1500) in North America, and of the 29, 27 were made from either the arm or the leg, as per the in-depth analysis published in the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology. The other two were made from rib bones. "Late Prehistoric South Texas (1300-1528 AD) was characterised by hunter-gatherer habitation," Dr. Taylor wrote. "Forager peoples lived in the region from Paleoindian times up to and beyond European contact and never adopted agriculture." The instruments were made using the "groove-and-snap" method, which involves sawing a groove around a bone's circumference before breaking it into two pieces. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The process includes hours of work and is known to be labour-intensive. What do the bones signify? Historical objects made from human bone are often seen as signifying practices like honouring ancestors or displaying war trophies. However, the ones found in this discovery are different. The musical rasp made from an upper arm bone featured 29 carefully carved notches and decorative geometric patterns. The instrument appeared to have been played by scraping another object along the grooves. Dr. Taylor speculated the Texan rasp "may represent an emulation of Mexican religious practices." "Whatever their original provenance, it is quite apparent that the Late Prehistoric inhabitants did not regard the handling of human remains as taboo," he concluded. "Although some may wish to equate the presence of these artefacts with the existence of cannibalism, this report does not support or refute that hypothesis."
The Guardian
5 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
Ten lessons the Aztecs can teach us today
The ancient Aztecs aren't usually grouped with today's self-help gurus. But their philosophy, preserved in early post-conquest records, offers surprisingly sharp tools for modern life. Unlike stoicism or Buddhism, which emphasize internal reflection as the path to a better life, the Aztecs believed that you should start with your surroundings, your relationships, your body and speech. In their view, wisdom begins outside. Here are 10 lessons from their 'outward path', starting with those that clarify life goals. The pursuit of happiness is written into the US Declaration of Independence. Aristotle wrote volumes about its role as the chief aim of our life more than 2,000 years before that. While it's a staple notion in our culture, the Aztecs took a more realistic approach. 'Happiness', when it's not some complicated idea that's drifted from our ordinary meaning, is fleeting and tends to be followed by its opposite: pain or at least fatigue. That means 'happiness' isn't a suitable goal in life, though it at first looks plausible. What you truly want is something richer, and they likened it to rootedness: being firmly grounded in your body, mind, society and nature. We make sacrifices for our friends and our children, after all, and we think our lives are better for it. That's exactly the Aztec point. A second idea, which finds some expression in stoicism and Buddhism, is that you're after a life that is invulnerable. It's the notion that if you're a good person, none of the things that matter in your life can be affected by life's unpredictable events, even by tragedies. The Aztecs wouldn't agree. The best things in life, such as love, integrity and justice, also expose you to pain. Emiliano Zapata, the people's revolutionary in Mexico who was fluent in Nahuatl and loyal to his people, died young because he refused to betray his values. Aztec ethics embrace this tension: that meaning arises from choices that involve risk. A well-rooted life accepts heartbreak as part of the price of significance. It's tempting to think that if you were just smart enough, you'd have all the answers. We tend to valorize the 'lone wolf' individual who knows better than the crowd. But for the Aztecs, you shouldn't need to 'go it alone' if you live in a healthy community of friends and family. Ideally, good thinking is done in good groups. The Aztecs held structured group deliberations, where even the young had a voice, though experience carried weight. They would advise that you could build your own 'decision circle' and vet your goals with people who challenge and support you. If you're thinking alone, you're probably not thinking at your best. The stories of Aztec heroism during the colonial period are legion. For example, it turns out that Cortés had a son, named Martín, with a Native woman. And though Martín should have been treated well, he was left bereft of political protection some time after his (in)famous father died. Local authorities captured him and forced him to endure brutal torture in an attempt to provoke a false confession. Martín never gave in. While such feats of endurance are partly grounded in a person's innate personality, Martín may well have learned some of the ways the Aztecs instilled courage through repeated small hardships. They didn't optimize for ease. They taught their children to sweep before dawn, to carry heavy logs, and to stay up late. But in these many small feats, they also taught them how to sing while they worked and to manage their outlook. Courage starts small and grows strong. We live in a world under the constant gaze of others. Yet, if you want to live your life, and not the life 'they' tell you to lead, you will have to learn to ignore 'them'. Similarly, if you want to live well, to preserve the value of your own self-worth, then you need to learn what is of real value. One father is documented as he proudly recounts doing humble, hard work to raise his son, never stealing even a grain. You can build this skill through strategic vulnerability. Try doing something mildly embarrassing. Speak the truth when it's awkward. Let your social mask slip. That's how you can try to gain some distance from 'their' gaze. A paradox I noticed in graduate school was that I had no problem putting in hours of tedious study, but I would cave on my dieting goals if someone put a cookie in front of me. The Aztecs took an approach that solves this paradox. Willpower comes in three forms: Drive (high-intensity action), Durability (consistent effort), and Discipline (resistance to temptation). You need different tools for different challenges. Running into a flooded basement is not the same as resisting late-night cake. You need to train all three. Consistent action begets more consistent action. Aztec students swept daily before sunrise and kept their rooms clean. Today, it might be spending 15 minutes each day on a foreign language or making your bed. Whatever it is, hook your new effort to an existing habit to build yet more consistent actions. The Aztecs fasted not to shame their bodies but to train them. Fasting was paired with feasting and used to practice discipline, the kind of willpower that opposes temptation. The goal was a higher-level awareness of your reactions. For example, you might notice that hunger comes in waves, rather than building infinitely. Craving, like emotion, can be ridden out if you know what to expect and why you endure. The Aztecs emphasized 'right speech' as a way of aligning outer habits with inner values. Words, once spoken, nudge your mind into specific frames of thought. So they trained children to speak deliberately, truthfully, humbly, and to avoid gossip. Modern psychologists like Robert Cialdini have come to similar conclusions. What you say out loud subtly rewires how you think. So be careful: your words communicate thoughts and calibrate your expectations. The Aztecs believed wisdom starts not with introspection but with habit, ritual and environment. Clean your space. Speak with care. Eat with intention. Build habits that train your body and attune your mind. As you do, your inner world comes into alignment. You don't need to solve your soul before setting your house in order. In fact, the outer path might just be the way to reach your inner peace. Sebastian Purcell is an associate professor of philosophy at Suny-Cortland in New York, where he researches ethics, Aztec philosophy and mathematical logic. He is the author of Discourses of the Elders: the Aztec Huehuetlatolli, a First English Translation and most recently, The Outward Path: The Wisdom of the Aztecs
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Science
- The Irish Sun
Archaeologists uncover 800-year-old bones with strange details & they offer a surprising insight into Aztec life
The discovery points at a potential link to the Aztec empire ANCIENT SECRETS Archaeologists uncover 800-year-old bones with strange details & they offer a surprising insight into Aztec life ARCHAEOLOGISTS have uncovered ancient bones that offer a surprising insight into the Aztec era. Historians noticed details on the remains, suggesting they may have served an unusual purpose. Advertisement 3 Details on ancient human remains found in South Texas suggest a potential link to Aztec life (stock image) Credit: Getty 3 Carvings on the bones suggest they were used as musical instruments Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Gary Todd Archaeologists carried out an in-depth analysis of 29 prehistoric human bones discovered along the southern Texas coast. Unusual markings on the skeletal remains suggest they may have carried out a purpose beyond death. Unusual details Historians suggested that the group of hunter-gatherers who once inhabited the area likely created music by transforming the human bones into instruments. Dr. Matthew Taylor, who works as a biological anthropologist at Georgia's Augusta University, identified a musical rasp fashioned from a human humerus while studying the artefacts. Advertisement IFLScience reported that the item, which was part of a museum collection, resembled an omichicahuaztli, which is an instrument that was used by pre-Hispanic Mexican cultures, including the Aztecs. The remains date back to the Late Prehistoric era (AD 700-1500) in North America, according to an in-depth analayis published in the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology. "Late Prehistoric South Texas (1300-1528 AD) was characterised by hunter-gatherer habitation," Dr. Taylor wrote. "Forager peoples lived in the region from Paleoindian times up to and beyond European contact and never adopted agriculture." Advertisement He added that inhabitants of southern Texas and the associated Gulf Coast "have been historically documented since AD 1528". The analysis of the 29 bones found that 27 were made from either the arm or the leg. 'Once in a century' Pompeii discovery as ancient luxury SPA is saved from ashes with thermal baths & stunning mosaic Meanwhile, the remaining two objects were constructed from rib bones. According to archaeologists, the instruments were typically crafted using what's known as the "groove-and-snap" method. Advertisement This involves sawing a groove around a bone's circumference before breaking it in half. "This process is labour intensive and represents hours of work," Dr. Taylor wrote. He emphasised the meticulous manual effort behind crafting these skeletal artifacts. Potential links Historical objects fashioned from human bone are often thought to signify practices like honouring ancestors or displaying war trophies. Advertisement However, Dr. Taylor pointed out that such interpretations don't align with other archaeological findings from the region. The musical rasp made from an upper arm bone featured 29 carefully carved notches and decorative geometric patterns. One of the most intriguing discoveries, this instrument appeared to have been played by scraping another object along the grooves. While unique to South Texas, similar instruments are well-documented in central Mexican histories. Advertisement Typically carved from human thigh bones, these objects are decorated with comparable designs. Dr. Taylor speculated the Texan rasp "may represent an emulation of Mexican religious practices." He pointed to a possible contact or influence between Indigenous tribes occupying the South Texas coast and the Aztec empire. "Whatever their original provenance, it is quite apparent that the Late Prehistoric inhabitants did not regard the handling of human remains as taboo," he concluded. Advertisement "Although some may wish to equate the presence of these artefacts with the existence of cannibalism, this report does not support or refute that hypothesis." More on archaeology The remains of a lost Roman city have been uncovered on a popular holiday island. And the lost tomb of a 1,700-year-old king was uncovered in Mayan temple. Plus, the eerie "hybrid" skull that belonged to a "half human, half neanderthal girl". Advertisement An ancient lost city from 3,500-years-ago that played home to the oldest civilization in the Americas' was uncovered in Peru. And AI has deciphered a hymn on a 4,000-year-old clay tablet, which is said unlock the mystery of the ancient city of Babylon.
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Science
- Scottish Sun
Archaeologists uncover 800-year-old bones with strange details & they offer a surprising insight into Aztec life
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ARCHAEOLOGISTS have uncovered ancient bones that offer a surprising insight into the Aztec era. Historians noticed details on the remains, suggesting they may have served an unusual purpose. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Details on ancient human remains found in South Texas suggest a potential link to Aztec life (stock image) Credit: Getty 3 Carvings on the bones suggest they were used as musical instruments Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Gary Todd Archaeologists carried out an in-depth analysis of 29 prehistoric human bones discovered along the southern Texas coast. Unusual markings on the skeletal remains suggest they may have carried out a purpose beyond death. Unusual details Historians suggested that the group of hunter-gatherers who once inhabited the area likely created music by transforming the human bones into instruments. Dr. Matthew Taylor, who works as a biological anthropologist at Georgia's Augusta University, identified a musical rasp fashioned from a human humerus while studying the artefacts. IFLScience reported that the item, which was part of a museum collection, resembled an omichicahuaztli, which is an instrument that was used by pre-Hispanic Mexican cultures, including the Aztecs. The remains date back to the Late Prehistoric era (AD 700-1500) in North America, according to an in-depth analayis published in the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology. "Late Prehistoric South Texas (1300-1528 AD) was characterised by hunter-gatherer habitation," Dr. Taylor wrote. "Forager peoples lived in the region from Paleoindian times up to and beyond European contact and never adopted agriculture." He added that inhabitants of southern Texas and the associated Gulf Coast "have been historically documented since AD 1528". The analysis of the 29 bones found that 27 were made from either the arm or the leg. 'Once in a century' Pompeii discovery as ancient luxury SPA is saved from ashes with thermal baths & stunning mosaic Meanwhile, the remaining two objects were constructed from rib bones. According to archaeologists, the instruments were typically crafted using what's known as the "groove-and-snap" method. This involves sawing a groove around a bone's circumference before breaking it in half. "This process is labour intensive and represents hours of work," Dr. Taylor wrote. He emphasised the meticulous manual effort behind crafting these skeletal artifacts. Potential links Historical objects fashioned from human bone are often thought to signify practices like honouring ancestors or displaying war trophies. However, Dr. Taylor pointed out that such interpretations don't align with other archaeological findings from the region. The musical rasp made from an upper arm bone featured 29 carefully carved notches and decorative geometric patterns. One of the most intriguing discoveries, this instrument appeared to have been played by scraping another object along the grooves. While unique to South Texas, similar instruments are well-documented in central Mexican histories. Typically carved from human thigh bones, these objects are decorated with comparable designs. Dr. Taylor speculated the Texan rasp "may represent an emulation of Mexican religious practices." He pointed to a possible contact or influence between Indigenous tribes occupying the South Texas coast and the Aztec empire. "Whatever their original provenance, it is quite apparent that the Late Prehistoric inhabitants did not regard the handling of human remains as taboo," he concluded. "Although some may wish to equate the presence of these artefacts with the existence of cannibalism, this report does not support or refute that hypothesis." More on archaeology The remains of a lost Roman city have been uncovered on a popular holiday island. And the lost tomb of a 1,700-year-old king was uncovered in Mayan temple. Plus, the eerie "hybrid" skull that belonged to a "half human, half neanderthal girl". An ancient lost city from 3,500-years-ago that played home to the oldest civilization in the Americas' was uncovered in Peru. And AI has deciphered a hymn on a 4,000-year-old clay tablet, which is said unlock the mystery of the ancient city of Babylon.
The Guardian
5 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
Ten lessons the Aztecs can teach us today
The ancient Aztecs aren't usually grouped with today's self-help gurus. But their philosophy, preserved in early post-conquest records, offers surprisingly sharp tools for modern life. Unlike stoicism or Buddhism, which emphasize internal reflection as the path to a better life, the Aztecs believed that you should start with your surroundings, your relationships, your body and speech. In their view, wisdom begins outside. Here are 10 lessons from their 'outward path', starting with those that clarify life goals. The pursuit of happiness is written into the US Declaration of Independence. Aristotle wrote volumes about its role as the chief aim of our life more than 2,000 years before that. While it's a staple notion in our culture, the Aztecs took a more realistic approach. 'Happiness', when it's not some complicated idea that's drifted from our ordinary meaning, is fleeting and tends to be followed by its opposite: pain or at least fatigue. That means 'happiness' isn't a suitable goal in life, though it at first looks plausible. What you truly want is something richer, and they likened it to rootedness: being firmly grounded in your body, mind, society and nature. We make sacrifices for our friends and our children, after all, and we think our lives are better for it. That's exactly the Aztec point. A second idea, which finds some expression in stoicism and Buddhism, is that you're after a life that is invulnerable. It's the notion that if you're a good person, none of the things that matter in your life can be affected by life's unpredictable events, even by tragedies. The Aztecs wouldn't agree. The best things in life, such as love, integrity and justice, also expose you to pain. Emiliano Zapata, the people's revolutionary in Mexico who was fluent in Nahuatl and loyal to his people, died young because he refused to betray his values. Aztec ethics embrace this tension: that meaning arises from choices that involve risk. A well-rooted life accepts heartbreak as part of the price of significance. It's tempting to think that if you were just smart enough, you'd have all the answers. We tend to valorize the 'lone wolf' individual who knows better than the crowd. But for the Aztecs, you shouldn't need to 'go it alone' if you live in a healthy community of friends and family. Ideally, good thinking is done in good groups. The Aztecs held structured group deliberations, where even the young had a voice, though experience carried weight. They would advise that you could build your own 'decision circle' and vet your goals with people who challenge and support you. If you're thinking alone, you're probably not thinking at your best. The stories of Aztec heroism during the colonial period are legion. For example, it turns out that Cortés had a son, named Martín, with a Native woman. And though Martín should have been treated well, he was left bereft of political protection some time after his (in)famous father died. Local authorities captured him and forced him to endure brutal torture in an attempt to provoke a false confession. Martín never gave in. While such feats of endurance are partly grounded in a person's innate personality, Martín may well have learned some of the ways the Aztecs instilled courage through repeated small hardships. They didn't optimize for ease. They taught their children to sweep before dawn, to carry heavy logs, and to stay up late. But in these many small feats, they also taught them how to sing while they worked and to manage their outlook. Courage starts small and grows strong. We live in a world under the constant gaze of others. Yet, if you want to live your life, and not the life 'they' tell you to lead, you will have to learn to ignore 'them'. Similarly, if you want to live well, to preserve the value of your own self-worth, then you need to learn what is of real value. One father is documented as he proudly recounts doing humble, hard work to raise his son, never stealing even a grain. You can build this skill through strategic vulnerability. Try doing something mildly embarrassing. Speak the truth when it's awkward. Let your social mask slip. That's how you can try to gain some distance from 'their' gaze. A paradox I noticed in graduate school was that I had no problem putting in hours of tedious study, but I would cave on my dieting goals if someone put a cookie in front of me. The Aztecs took an approach that solves this paradox. Willpower comes in three forms: Drive (high-intensity action), Durability (consistent effort), and Discipline (resistance to temptation). You need different tools for different challenges. Running into a flooded basement is not the same as resisting late-night cake. You need to train all three. Consistent action begets more consistent action. Aztec students swept daily before sunrise and kept their rooms clean. Today, it might be spending 15 minutes each day on a foreign language or making your bed. Whatever it is, hook your new effort to an existing habit to build yet more consistent actions. The Aztecs fasted not to shame their bodies but to train them. Fasting was paired with feasting and used to practice discipline, the kind of willpower that opposes temptation. The goal was a higher-level awareness of your reactions. For example, you might notice that hunger comes in waves, rather than building infinitely. Craving, like emotion, can be ridden out if you know what to expect and why you endure. The Aztecs emphasized 'right speech' as a way of aligning outer habits with inner values. Words, once spoken, nudge your mind into specific frames of thought. So they trained children to speak deliberately, truthfully, humbly, and to avoid gossip. Modern psychologists like Robert Cialdini have come to similar conclusions. What you say out loud subtly rewires how you think. So be careful: your words communicate thoughts and calibrate your expectations. The Aztecs believed wisdom starts not with introspection but with habit, ritual and environment. Clean your space. Speak with care. Eat with intention. Build habits that train your body and attune your mind. As you do, your inner world comes into alignment. You don't need to solve your soul before setting your house in order. In fact, the outer path might just be the way to reach your inner peace. Sebastian Purcell is an associate professor of philosophy at Suny-Cortland in New York, where he researches ethics, Aztec philosophy and mathematical logic. He is the author of Discourses of the Elders: the Aztec Huehuetlatolli, a First English Translation and most recently, The Outward Path: The Wisdom of the Aztecs
