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Aztec Codex Returns to Mexico After 186 Years
18 Sep
Summary
- The Azcatitlan Codex, a 16th-century manuscript, is back in Mexico after 186 years.
- This artifact is a vital visual record of Aztec history and culture.
- The codex is on display at Mexico City's National Museum of Anthropology.
The Azcatitlan Codex, a seminal 16th-century manuscript, has returned to Mexico after a 186-year absence. Last in Mexico in 1840, this important visual record of Aztec history is now on display at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City. The codex, which originated from an Indigenous craftsman, combines Mesoamerican pictograms with European writing.
This 16th-century artifact traces the Mexicas' migration from Aztlan, the mythical birthplace of Aztec civilization, to the establishment of Tenochtitlan. It further chronicles the succession of Aztec rulers and vividly depicts the Spanish conquest and subsequent evangelization, according to the National Institute of Anthropology and History.
The codex's presence in Mexico marks a significant cultural moment, especially as the two nations celebrate 200 years of diplomatic ties. The artifact will be exhibited until December, and as part of an exchange, Mexico will loan the Codex Boturini to France.
