Exhibit reveals Aztec mysteries
The land of the Aztecs will be laid at the feet of visitors to "The Aztec World" exhibit at The Field Museum, Chicago. Running from Oct. 26 to April 9, the Aztec way of life will be depicted with all its marvels and sophistication. Upon arrival in the land of the Aztecs, an offering vessel in the shape of an eagle signals this is the place to build a great city. Start with a video that will set the stage, and then step out into the New World. The first stop is the lake, 500 years ago. Here visitors will find out more about the roles of gods and rituals. Look for tiny replicas of canoes and figurines of fish and frogs - food from Aztec early years. Farming was guided by beliefs and ritual, with female goddesses holding much influence. Guests will see sculptures of farming families and images from codices (accordion-style books created by native artists before and after the Spanish conquest). These provide glimpses of everyday life. Men and women raised maize and beans, turkeys and dogs. They also had frequent feasts with pulque, a cousin of tequila, making a welcome appearance. From there, visitors move into the subject of trade. Aztecs admired both the useful and beautiful. There were potters, carpenters, weavers and goldsmiths. A variety of tools are on display, as well as a look at Quetzalcoatl (a plumed serpent), the patron of Aztec artisans. For a fine view of a busy marketplace, linger at the reproduction of Diego Rivera's mural, "The Great City of Tenochtitlan, seeing shoppers from all classes enjoying the market. It's said more than 60,000 people visited there each day. Impressive artifacts of the military are next on the list. Guests can meet the life-size terra cotta Eagle Man, molded inside a bird's head with a large beak. Information can be found on the training methods of soldiers, their death-defying ballgame, how battles were fought, and the fate of their enemies. Just for the record, childbirth was considered similar to combat, and pregnant women the counterparts of warriors. Giving birth was compared to capturing an enemy warrior in battle. Travelers in the exhibit will wander on to a section about the rulers, their daily lives and responsibilities. Then continue into the state religion at the center of the city, where a large reptile head can be seen representing the fire serpent. This also is the center of the Aztec universe, where Templo Mayor, great temple, was the site of sacred rituals to protect the nation. All this was due to change though. The Aztecs were defeated by the Spanish in 1521, leading to a blending of the two cultures. Before leaving the Aztecs, take a look at the bronze conquistador helmet and sword that leads the way into another age. The Aztec World Where: The Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. When: Oct. 26 through April 19. Cost: $22 adults, $19 seniors and students with ID, and $12 children 4-11. Cost includes museum admission. To get tickets: Visit www.fieldmuseum.org or call 866-343-5303. Information: Call 312-922-9410.
