Much of the truth behind the existence of the Aztecs has been obscured by centuries of myth and lucid imagination. However, an accurate picture of their culture can be drawn through a careful study of the Aztec Codex, a collection of ancient books that has been extensively researched and interpreted, as described in the new documentary Aztecs: Sacrifice and Science .
The invasion of Mexico by Hernán Cortes in the early 16th century laid the groundwork for the extinction of the Aztecs and their culture. Bernardino de Sahagun is hailed as one of history’s pioneering anthropologists, whose work has proven crucial to preserving the Aztec footprint in world history. As one of the last witnesses of their way of life, de Sahagon spent decades documenting Aztec culture and belief systems and made significant progress in describing their unique language for future generations of scholars.
One of these scholars is Eduard Seler. Three hundred years after writing de Sahagon’s text, Seiler and his wife Cecilia travel from Berlin to Mexico in search of more clues and answers. There, using their keen archaeological skills, they uncovered many Aztec ruins and artifacts hidden beneath the infrastructure of Mexico at the time. Most importantly, Thaler successfully deciphered the Aztec calendar, revealing a deeper understanding of a long-forgotten people. Thaler’s work in this area continues to influence research today, as it provides invaluable evidence about Aztec ways of life, temple building practices, and even their fondness for human sacrifice rituals. But there is still a lot to learn. Surprisingly, as the film shows, a significant portion of Thaler’s research material remains unexamined in Berlin museums.
Through in-depth narrative, reams of insightful imagery, and riveting reenactments, Aztecs: Sacrifice and Science traces the milestones that marked the preservation of the Aztec legacy. These discoveries and revelations continue to this day thanks to the pioneering efforts of historical figures such as Bernardino de Sahagu and Eduard Seler. In doing so, the film reminds us that history is a living thing – elusive but compelling – and one that is continually refined and redefined with each passing century.
