d for meat were turkeys, rabbits, and dogs. Arts and Crafts:The Aztec sculptures, which adorned their temples and other buildings,were among the most elaborate in all of the Americas. Their purpose wasto please the gods and they attempted to do that in everything they did.Many of the sculptures reflected their perception of their gods and howthey interacted in their lives. The most famous surviving Aztec sculptureis the large circular Calendar Stone, which represents the Aztec universe.Religion: Religion was extremely important in Aztec life. They worshippedhundreds of gods and goddesses, each of whom ruled one or more human activitiesor aspects of nature. The people had many agricultural gods because theirculture was based heavily on farming. The Aztecs made many sacrifices totheir gods. When victims reached the altar they were stretched across asacrificial stone. A priest with an obsidian knife cut open the victim'schest and tore out his heart. The heart was placed in a bowl called a chacmool.This heart was used as an offer to the gods. If they were in dire need,a warrior would be sacrificed, but for any other sacrifice a normal personwould be deemed sufficient. It was a great honor to be chosen for a sacrificeto the gods. The Aztec held many religious ceremonies to ensure good cropsby winning the favor of the gods and then to thank them for the harvest.Every 52 years, the Aztec held a great celebration called the Binding upof the Years. Prior to the celebration, the people would let their hearthfires go out and then re-light them from the new fire of the celebrationand feast. A partial list of the Aztec gods: CENTEOTL, The corn god. COATLICUE,She of the Serpent Skirt. EHECATL, The god of wind. HUEHUETEOTL, The firegod. HUITZILOPOCHTLI, The war/sun god and special guardian of Tenochtitlan.MICTLANTECUHTLE, The god of the dead. OMETECUHLTI and his wife OMECIHUATL,They created all life in the world. QUETZALCOATL, The god of civilizationa...
