What is a skull rack (tzompantli) in Mesoamerican architecture?
What is a tzompantli (skull rack) and what role did it play in Mesoamerica cultures? In this video, we explore the concept of the tzompantli, a massive skull rack used by Mesoamerican groups like the Aztecs in ceremonial rituals.
We discuss its significance, its use, and what it reveals about Aztec beliefs and practices. The video looks at the skull rack in the ceremonial precinct of the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan and at the ancient Maya site of Chichén Itzá.
A tzompantli could be a combination of sculpture and architecture.
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