The Sun Stone or Aztec Calendar was created in 1479 and uncovered during restoration in the “Zocolo” or main square of Mexico City in 1760. The Sun Stone is made of basalt and is 12 feet in diameter, 3 feet thick, and weighs almost 25 tons. I came across a picture of the Sun Stone while researching components 2A and 2B. Although the original work was carved out of stone, and possibly painted, I chose a work that has been color enhanced. The color helps define the segments of the calendar, which represent different facets of the Aztec culture. I chose this piece to critique because it is fascinating to think about all of the meanings that one piece represents.
My first impression about the artwork is how much thought and ingenuity it took to create such a fascinating piece. Not only is it beautiful in how it is laid out, but it also serves as a calendar, which tells the Aztecs when to perform certain life functions like planting and harvesting. This is important as the Aztecs were ruled by the Gods and did everything that they could to please and appease them. They were oppressed by non-living entities that forced them to endure human sacrifice and other acts not of their own will. The calendar is amazing as it contains two different calendar systems and is so accurate that it only needs to be recalculated once every 52 years.
As mentioned, the Sun Stone is made of basalt, is 12 feet in diameter and weighs some 25 tons. This monolith is carved in the shape of a circle and has six rings containing symbols of gods, events, and pictorials. The shapes are intricately carved and seem amazingly handcrafted during a time when tools and technology were so basic. It’s a beautiful piece of art on its own, however the symbolism and the mathematics used in creating it make it a masterpiece.
http://www.ai.mit.edu/people/montalvo/Hotlist/aztec.html