Chapter 1
The migration from the seven caves
Chapter 2
The engineering of the floating gardens
Chapter 3
The cosmic clock and daily life
Chapter 4
The secret codes of the codices
YOUR GOAL
Master of Hidden world of the Aztecs
Ch 4 · The secret codes of the codices
sonia Codex Selden
Beneath the plaster of the Selden page, a hidden ancient history shines!
sonia Feather artisans created breathtaking mosaics and headdresses that were valued far more than gold.
sonia Elite long-distance traders doubled as imperial intelligence agents, mapping foreign territories before military campaigns.
BETA
sonia Decode the ancient codex symbols to discover the deepest, hidden stories of Aztec life.
Fun Fact
Colorful tiny bugs: The brilliant red dye used in Aztec codices came from cochineal, tiny insects that live on prickly pear cacti.
Glossary
codex (noun)
An ancient manuscript text in book form. In 1541, Viceroy Mendoza commissioned a pictorial Aztec codex to send to King Charles V of Spain.
An ancient manuscript text in book form. In 1541, Viceroy Mendoza commissioned a pictorial Aztec codex to send to King Charles V of Spain.
Quiz
Which surviving manuscript contains detailed lists of tribute paid to the Aztec Empire?
Quiz
What secret secondary role did the elite 'pochteca' merchants play in the Aztec Empire?
Quiz
What material was most commonly used to make the pages of pre-Hispanic Aztec codices?
Quiz
What was the Nahuatl name for the highly trained Aztec scribes who painted the codices?
Quiz
What highly prized green feather from Central American cloud forests was reserved for royalty?