life. Five-hundred years ago, this multi-tiered pyramid marked the literal center of
the Aztec universe, where elaborated ceremonies were performed to maintain
cosmic order and sustain the gods. Among the abundant offerings entombed in the
foundations, the seventh constructive stage of the Great Temple held the remains
of complete tests and fragments of three species of echinoids: Echinometra
vanbrunti (Fig. 2.9a), Clypeaster speciosus (Fig. 2.9b), Mellita sp., Meoma
grandis. Echinometra vanbrunti represents the most abundant echinoderm remains
buried beneath the Great Temple (Solis-Marin et al. 2010). Only one arm tip
fragment of the starfish Astropecten sp. has been found, showing that starfish were
also used during the burial ceremonies. The remains are dated between the years
1502–1521 and were found at the deepest excavation level.
Because the Aztecs received tribute of other towns that they had dominated, we
believe these echinoderms came from the tribute payment of some group dominated
by the Mexicas. For example, C. speciosus presently occurs along the northwestern
coast of Mexico. We believe it was transported from that zone. The Mexica Empire at
that time (1502–1521) had conquered part of the national territory (Guerrero,
Oaxaca, Chiapas States) and other coastal areas of the Mexican Pacific. This record is
very important because it indicates they received materials far more to the north than
normally considered (limits of the Michoacan and Guerrero States). Some specimens
found in the offerings probably have they origin from the west coast of North Mexico,
perhaps Mazatlan, Sinaloa. Although the Aztecs did not conquer the groups of these
areas, we believe that the settler groups of ‘‘Zihuatlan’’ province gave tributes to
the Aztecs. Although they never knew the exact limits of their empire, they knew
that it was in the North of Mexico. The Mexicas never defeated the Tarascos, but
they dominated the province of Zihuatlan. There is reason to believe they received
tribute of some group or groups that were more to the north of the country.
Animal offerings in the burials were made by the highest priests. Their rituals
were closed events. In the massive events they were not celebrated with this type
of offerings. The offerings were made to inaugurate and to consecrate new building
structures and possibly to commemorate festivities of the ritual calendar. The
marine animals, including the sea urchins and starfish (and very probably other
classes of echinoderms) were brought alive to the site. Echinmetra vanbrunti found
in the offerings have remains of pedicellariae on the top of the test and some
fragments of the Aristotle’s lantern. The transport was made using emissaries who
ran very long distances and for a time. In average they ran 30 km daily.
2.4 Aquaculture and Fisheries
Echinoderm fisheries in Mexico are based mainly on the sea urchins Strongylocentrotus franciscanus and S. purpuratus, the sea cucumbers I. fuscus and
Parastichopus parvimensis, on the Pacific coast of Mexico and in the Gulf of
California. Except for P. parvimensis, the other species were heavily exploited
during the 1990s. It is important to mention that all echinoderm catch is exported
40
F. A. Solís-Marín et al.
the Aztec universe, where elaborated ceremonies were performed to maintain
cosmic order and sustain the gods. Among the abundant offerings entombed in the
foundations, the seventh constructive stage of the Great Temple held the remains
of complete tests and fragments of three species of echinoids: Echinometra
vanbrunti (Fig. 2.9a), Clypeaster speciosus (Fig. 2.9b), Mellita sp., Meoma
grandis. Echinometra vanbrunti represents the most abundant echinoderm remains
buried beneath the Great Temple (Solis-Marin et al. 2010). Only one arm tip
fragment of the starfish Astropecten sp. has been found, showing that starfish were
also used during the burial ceremonies. The remains are dated between the years
1502–1521 and were found at the deepest excavation level.
Because the Aztecs received tribute of other towns that they had dominated, we
believe these echinoderms came from the tribute payment of some group dominated
by the Mexicas. For example, C. speciosus presently occurs along the northwestern
coast of Mexico. We believe it was transported from that zone. The Mexica Empire at
that time (1502–1521) had conquered part of the national territory (Guerrero,
Oaxaca, Chiapas States) and other coastal areas of the Mexican Pacific. This record is
very important because it indicates they received materials far more to the north than
normally considered (limits of the Michoacan and Guerrero States). Some specimens
found in the offerings probably have they origin from the west coast of North Mexico,
perhaps Mazatlan, Sinaloa. Although the Aztecs did not conquer the groups of these
areas, we believe that the settler groups of ‘‘Zihuatlan’’ province gave tributes to
the Aztecs. Although they never knew the exact limits of their empire, they knew
that it was in the North of Mexico. The Mexicas never defeated the Tarascos, but
they dominated the province of Zihuatlan. There is reason to believe they received
tribute of some group or groups that were more to the north of the country.
Animal offerings in the burials were made by the highest priests. Their rituals
were closed events. In the massive events they were not celebrated with this type
of offerings. The offerings were made to inaugurate and to consecrate new building
structures and possibly to commemorate festivities of the ritual calendar. The
marine animals, including the sea urchins and starfish (and very probably other
classes of echinoderms) were brought alive to the site. Echinmetra vanbrunti found
in the offerings have remains of pedicellariae on the top of the test and some
fragments of the Aristotle’s lantern. The transport was made using emissaries who
ran very long distances and for a time. In average they ran 30 km daily.
2.4 Aquaculture and Fisheries
Echinoderm fisheries in Mexico are based mainly on the sea urchins Strongylocentrotus franciscanus and S. purpuratus, the sea cucumbers I. fuscus and
Parastichopus parvimensis, on the Pacific coast of Mexico and in the Gulf of
California. Except for P. parvimensis, the other species were heavily exploited
during the 1990s. It is important to mention that all echinoderm catch is exported
40
F. A. Solís-Marín et al.