Shocking discovery: Aztec tower made of 119 skulls unearthed in Mexico

Years ago, archaeologists uncovered a tower made of 484 human skulls — but now, another milestone discovery has been made in Mexico. The bizarre structure is thought to have played a significant role not only in Aztec religious rituals but also as a display of the civilisation’s power.

In the heart of Mexico City, beneath the ruins of the ancient Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, archaeologists have made yet another chilling find. Since 2017, researchers working on the excavation of the ancient Templo Mayor have been investigating the site where a gruesome tower of human skulls was first uncovered, according to All That’s Interesting.

Thanks to years of persistent research, experts have now revealed a new section made up of 119 skulls. The Huey Tzompantli — the name of the original structure — was five metres in diameter and composed of 484 human skulls. With the newly discovered remains, that number has now risen to 603.

The skulls served several purposes

The skulls belonged to the trophy chamber of the Templo Mayor, the Aztecs’ main temple, which was used for human sacrifice rituals. The cylindrical tower stood close to the cathedral that was later built over it, near the shrine dedicated to Huitzilopochtli, the Aztec god of the sun, war, and sacrifice.

According to researchers from Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), the newly uncovered skull wall formed part of the temple’s main sanctuary. It symbolised both sacred power and offerings made to the gods — a kind of boundary between the human and the divine worlds, where the victims’ bodies remained on earth but their souls were believed to ascend to the gods.

However, experts suggest that such skull towers expressed more than just religious devotion: they were also striking displays of the Aztec Empire’s power and prestige. The Huey Tzompantli likely both amazed and terrified foreign visitors — including the Spanish conquistadors who, led by Hernán Cortés, conquered Tenochtitlan in 1521.

Strange details hidden in the structure

Over the years, researchers have identified three distinct construction phases of the tower, dating between 1486 and 1502. The structure contains peculiar features: the skulls were joined together using mortar and arranged in a circular formation, facing inward around an empty space.

The reason for this unusual layout remains unclear. Some experts believe that after sacrificial ceremonies, the skulls were first displayed on racks and only later incorporated into the wall — once all that remained of them was bare bone.

Not only men were sacrificed

At first, archaeologists assumed the remains belonged to young male warriors. However, they later discovered a significant number of women’s and children’s skulls among them — a finding that challenges long-held historical narratives suggesting only men were sacrificed.

According to archaeologist Raúl Barrera, while it is uncertain how many of the victims were warriors or slaves, one thing is clear: all of them were considered sacred. They were offered to the gods as sacrifices, becoming part of the supernatural realm.

Excavations are still underway

Archaeologists say the exploration is far from over. The excavations began in 2015 during the renovation of a building, and ongoing research continues to shed light each year on new aspects of Aztec religion and society. This latest discovery — the tower of 119 skulls — adds yet another piece to the vast, blood-stained mosaic revealing one of the most mysterious faces of Aztec civilisation.

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