In August 2023, archaeologists excavating the Templo Mayor in Mexico City uncovered an extraordinary Aztec stone chest.
Inside were 15 anthropomorphic figurines, a discovery that left researchers astonished.
Most notably, these figurines were identified as belonging to the Mezcala people, a civilization that thrived between 700 and 200 BC in what is now Guerrero, Mexico.
This finding suggests that the Aztecs were not only aware of ancient cultures but actively collected and repurposed historical artifacts, possibly as a way to connect with or honor their predecessors’ legacy.