Monolith of Tlaltecuhtli

myminifactory

In October of 2006, a massive stone carving of Tlaltecuhtli was unearthed west of the Templo Mayor. The intricate iconography on the monolith reflects his complex origins. According to Mexica creation myths, he was originally a sea monster and one of four primordial earth deities until Tezcatlipoca and Quetzalcoatl tore him in two to create the skies and earth. However, to produce stars in the sky and rivers, trees on earth, he had to recycle the bodies of the dead into natural features. As a result, Tlaltecuhtli is typically depicted confined or contorted, conveying his captive and uneasy state. The raised-arms depiction specifically labels him as an earth deity, further hinting at his internment in his tale. The artist likely carved the stone to make Tlaltecuhtli appear as large as possible, restrained by physical borders. Although he consumed the dead, his role was seen as a necessary evil for sustaining life and providing materials essential for Aztec survival and potential prosperity. This object is part of "Scan The World", a non-profit initiative launched by MyMiniFactory, which aims to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from across the globe, available for public access free. Scan The World is an open-source community effort; if you have interesting items nearby and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to find out how you can participate.