Aztec Altar at British Museum

Coming to London as part of the Moctezuma exhibition, the Aztec altar at British Museum is one of several ancient Mexican artefacts that are the highlight of the show.

Sacred object
Called the Teocalli of Sacred Warfare and created around 1509, the Aztec altar at British Museum exhibit is a massive stone monument with intricate carvings, which sheds light onto the Aztec culture that existed before the arrival of Cortes and the Spanish Conquest. Showing the relationship between religion and warfare amongst the Aztecs, the altar is an impressive addition to the Moctezuma exhibition.

Moctezuma: Aztec Ruler
Alongside other treasures from the court of Moctezuma, who was the last elected ruler of the Aztecs, the Aztec altar at British Museum is a monument to a lost civilisation. Other exhibits in the show include a model of the Great Temple, a huge stepped pyramid where Moctezuma would have performed blood letting rituals and ordered the sacrificial killing of captives.

Exhibition highlights
As well as the stone Aztec altar at British Museum, other Aztec treasures at the Moctezuma exhibition include turquoise mosaic masks, colonial paintings depicting the Spanish Conquest, and ceremonial weapons. Click on the link below to find out what else to expect at the show.

Moctezuma Exhibition London

Day of the Dead
During the Day of the Dead festivities on Sunday 1st November, a second altar can also be seen at the British Museum. Created by Mexican artist Adriana Amaya and kids on their half term break, the altar can be seen in the Great Court.

Day of the Dead at British Museum

The Aztec altar at British Museum display is part of the Moctezuma: Aztec Ruler exhibition, which runs from Thursday 24th September 2009 - Sunday 24th January 2010. Gallery opening times are 10am - 5.30pm, with late night opening until 8.30pm on Thursdays and Fridays.

Standard adult tickets for the exhibition cost £12.00; teenagers aged 16 - 18, students and other concessions cost £10.00. Children under 16 go free. For more information and to book tickets in advance, call 0207 323 8181.

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