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Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Platform of the Eagles and Jaguars

Platform of the
Eagles and Jaguars


Platform of the Eagles and the Jaguars Maya Toltec Architectural Style
constructed 1100-1300 A.D.


The stone platform was probably a military structure, on which homage was paid to the orders of the "Knights of the Eagles & Jaguars " who are believed to have been an elite fighting force who attacked rival cities.

The elaboratly carved platform is located on the central plain between the Platform of Skulls and the Temple of Venus. The pedestals that top the platform are crowned with serpent heads, over which it is believed there had been standard bearers in the form of jaguars.

The figures of eagles and jaguars devouring hearts are said to represent the warriors who were responsible for obtaining victims for sacrifice to the gods.

Detail of a carving which depicts a jaguar holding a human heart.

The "Eagle Knights" were archers who attacked the enemy before other soldiers fought hand to hand. The aggressive eagles, sculpted on the walls of the platform are the symbol of these elite group of archers who stood out on the battlefield because they wore clothing of feathers from the bird for which they were named.

One of the aggressivve eagles sculpted in relief on the platform.



The "Jaguar Knights" were believed to be the fiercest members of the army, modeled after those found elsewhere in Central Mexico. They fought hand to hand, with wooden clubs tipped with knives of obsidian. They covered themselves with armor made of jaguar skins and helmets of jaguar heads. The figures of jaguars represented the soldiers who were often charged with obtaining prisoners for sacrifice to the city's gods.



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