![]() These containers were then stored in a chamber beneath the temple When the twenty-day festival was over, the flayed skins were removed and stored in special containers with tight-fitting lids designed to stop the stench of putrefaction from escaping. They passed through the city begging alms and blessed whoever gave them food or other offerings. During the festival, victorious warriors wearing flayed skins carried out mock skirmishes throughout Tenochtitlan. The skins were often adorned with bright feathers and gold jewellery when worn. This act of putting on new skin was a ceremony called 'Neteotquiliztli' translating to "impersonation of a god". ![]() After having the heart cut out, the body was carefully flayed to produce a nearly whole skin which was then worn by the priests for twenty days during the fertility rituals that followed the sacrifice. Entire obsidian blades like these are RARE to be found in this perfect, unbroken condition.Įach year, slaves or captives were selected as sacrifices to Xipe Totec. The entire blade is complete AS MADE with exceptional parallel flaking throughout. The rounded ends were to prevent accidental piercing of the skin as it was removed from the victim. The entire surface of this blade has been masterfully flaked to a fine, thin cross-section. It also would have been used to deflesh human skin that was then worn by priests in the macabre ritual to honor the Aztec god Xipe Totec. ![]() ![]() The less refined end would have been inserted into a handle and the long blade used to flay the skin off of human sacrifice victims. This exquisitely made bifacial obsidian tongue-shaped blade comes from the Pre-Columbian Aztec Culture. ![]()
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