MEXICA: GIFTS AND GODS AT THE TEMPLO MAYOR

On February 21, 1978, the underground of the bustling city of Mexico revealed one of Mesoamerica’s most exceptional secrets: the remains of the ancient city of Tenochtitlan, capital of the Mexica civilization—long mistakenly called Aztec—and its sacred precinct, the Templo Mayor. The fortuitous discovery by workers of the Electric Company of a huge circular monolith depicting the moon goddess Coyolxauhqui inaugurated half a century of unprecedented archaeological excavations. While the history of the Mexica Empire (1325-1521) is well-known and documented, its culture remained unknown in the areas of rituals, art, and architecture.

The exhibition, organized in association with the National Institute of Anthropology and History of Mexico (INAH), unveils these discoveries. Among the most striking are 204 offerings that the Mexica people deposited to their most revered deities to seek their favor, pay homage, and sometimes attempt to obtain certain favors in return. These diverse gifts echo the exorbitant political and economic power that this empire had reached by the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in 1519. Their study reveals not only a dynamic and predatory society but also artistic excellence and complex symbolic and religious thinking.

Until September 8, 2024 | Musée du quai Branly | 37 Quai Jacques Chirac, 75007 Paris

Image: Title Huehuetéotl
Copyright ©D.R. Sec D.R. Secretaría de Cultura-INAH-MEX. Museo del Templo Mayor

Curators Leonardo López Luján, Director of the Templo Mayor Project, Museo del Templo Mayor – INAH, Mexico | Fabienne De Pierrebourg, Heritage Conservator, Head of the Americas Collections, Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, Paris | Steve Bourget, Head of the Americas Collections, Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, Paris

Associate Curator Aline Hémond, Professor of Anthropology, Department of Anthropology, CNRS, University of Paris-Nanterre (EREA)