Jerry Dyck, age 12, of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, for his question:
WHO WERE THE AZTECS?
The Aztecs were probably the first Indians to use swords. Their craftsmen made swords of hardwood, setting the edges with sharp pieces of rectangular obsidian, much like the teeth of saws. Called maquahuitl, the name was shortened to machete and evolved into the popular jungle knife of today. The Aztecs also wore armor made of cane and padded cotton and carried rawhide shields.
Aztec Indians belonged to the American Indian race. They lived in central Mexico from about 1200 A.D. and were one of the most civilized and powerful groups of ancient Americans. Unfortunately they were conquered by Hernando Cortes and the Spanish in 1521, and their fine empire disappeared.
Aztecs probably developed their culture 3,000 years ago. Their capital city was called Tenochtitlan. Legendary stories said their god led the people to an island in Lake Texcoco where they saw an eagle, perched on a cactus, eating a snake. This, they decided, was where their city should be built. Because there was much shallow water, the city was made up of hard earth streets that ran between adobe brick houses, many of which fronted on canals. Movable drawbridges connected the city with the mainland to the north, west and south.
When the Spanish arrived in Tenochtitlan, the city had more than 100,000 residents. An excellent system of aqueducts carried fresh water into the town from springs in nearby hills. A spectacular ceremonial plaza was in the center of the city. Flat topped pyramids supporting temples were enclosed in long walled areas.
Aztec ruins show the people had developed their own style of architecture. They also perfected many phases of the arts and produced richly colored dyed cotton cloth, beautiful pottery and excellent ornaments of silver and gold. Carved jewelry was made from jade. Craftsmen also did sculpture and carvings.
Aztec king Montezuma II at first welcomed the Spanish but later plotted against them. In a revolt against the invaders Montezuma was killed. Cortes and his 1,000 Spanish troops had the help of thousands of Indian allies. .The Aztecs were easily defeated, and the Spanish completely leveled Tenochtitlan’s ceremonial center. Present day Mexico City’s main plaza, cathedral and national palace now stand where the ancient counterparts were once located.
When the Aztec empire was at its best, a well organized system of education was available to the young people. Boys and girls of outstanding ability were trained for religious duties, while average students were given instruction in history, Aztec traditions and crafts.
A few Aztec books have survived. The people didn’t use an alphabet but instead developed a type of rebus writing that used symbolic characters and pictures.