User:Oliviathomas66/sandbox

Article Evaluation:

The article on Huixtochihuatl is extremely short. It includes grammatical errors. It mostly covers the goddess's relationship to the other gods, but tells little about how the Aztecs may have engaged with her. Source number 2 and number 4 appear unreliable. They seem more like blogs than academic sources. The image appears to be recent (not a primary source) and provides little information about the goddess.

Peer review: Hi, Olivia! I don't know if this is where I'm supposed to review your article, but I just read through it. It looks good - I like the details you added about the representation and rituals of Huixtochihuatl. These might be supplemented with more images, though, and a few more primary sources. The way you've organized the piece is really helpful. The discussions we had regarding terminology in class today might also be helpful to think about! LeahShrestinian (talk) 21:18, 8 October 2018 (UTC)leahshrestinian

Peer review: Hi! I think it is helpful to the reader you divided the article into multiple sections. I would make the headings a bit more specific so it is fully clear what you will be discussing in the article. For example, instead of naming the second section "Representations," I would name it "Visual Representation" or "Iconography." The sources you have included appear to be reliable and well organized. I would make sure you include primary sources. I would also get rid of vague language like "some sources" and specify exactly what sources are being referenced. Like Leah said, I would also include more images. Aleo1200 (talk) 21:39, 8 October 2018 (UTC)

Peer Review (Posted From Talk Page) Overall, you have made a number of strong additions to this page. The subsections you have created are logical and well organized, and the style of writing is concise and easy to follow. A few small suggestions: I would try to add more photos, as there is currently only one. To do this, consider checking Wiki Commons and also looking to see if there are other common use depictions that you can include from various codices. Additionally, you use the phrase "according to sources" or "some sources say" a few times without including the actual source (example: "According to some sources, she is the wife of Tezcatlipoca"). I would try to avoid this type of vague statement if possible, or alternatively commit to over attributing rather than under attributing. Otherwise, great start! NickHelfand (talk) 16:46, 15 October 2018 (UTC)

Peer review. Hi! I think you have a very strong organization for the page as a whole. I would try and expand the section on contemporary uses. I particularly like how you directly integrated primary and secondary source material. Alejandro Ortega 130.132.173.154 (talk) 17:32, 12 November 2018 (UTC) Aztecs

Inspired by the Atlantean sculptures at Tula, Aztec sculptors built five large Atlantean Warriors to reside in the Aztec capital. One bearded male warrior originally stood in the center of the group, while three male soldiers stood North, East and South. The fifth sculpture, a female warrior, stood West. These warriors marked the center and four directions of the universe, and were meant to guard the sun.

The Aztec Atlantean figures have the characteristics of a warrior. They hold spears and have clay nose bars, both indicators of military prowess. Like the Tula figures, the Aztec figures have butterfly symbols on their chest. However, the Aztec figures also have the symbol on their head.

Toltec Influence

Tula, the Toltec capital, collapsed in the 12th century, before the Aztecs established city-states. The Aztec people originally migrated from Aztlan across the central highlands before they reached the valley of Mexico, where they established Tenochtitlan. During their migration, they passed through the ruins of Tula.

The Aztecs regarded their predecessors, the Toltecs, as great warriors. The Toltecs defeated other peoples who they forced to pay tribute to Tula. The Aztecs imitated the Toltecs, forcing tribute-towns to pay maize and other goods to Tenochtitlan. Toltecayotl, which translates in Nahuatl to "to have a Toltec heart", was a term that indicated great qualities. According to Townsend,"'[Toltecayotl] was to excel, to be worthy, to possess extraordinary qualities in the manner of the ancients.'"Therefore, by imitating Toltec Atlantean figures, the Aztecs associated themselves with the fearless warriors of an ancient nation regarded as great and powerful.

The Atlantean figures of Tenochtitlan were not the only sculptures that showed resemblance to the sculpture of Tula. Aztec standard-bearer statues, seating figures with flagpoles, are very similar to those found in Tula. Furthermore, Aztecs created chacmools, reclining figures used for rituals, based on those that they encountered in Tula.

Continuity or Disjunction:

As Townsend states, "The Aztecs drew on ancient artistic themes to associate themselves with the great traditions of Mesoamerican antiquary" (CITE)

In "", Townsend explores whether Aztec sculpture maintains continuity with or diverges from sculpture of the past. Townsend states,"'The Mexica formed an art that would help to integrate their realm ideologically, and that would simultaneously serve to affirm the Mexica as legitimate successors to the great nations of the past.'"Townsend explores the dichotomy between continuity and disjunction by comparing two Aztec warrior figures to a Toltec Atlantean figure.

Columns in the form of Toltec warriors in Tula Figure from Chichen Itza, dated 900-1250

Atlantean figures are carved stone support columns or pillars in the shape of fierce men in Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. These figures are considered to be "massive statues of Toltec warriors". They take their name from the European tradition of similar Atlas or Atalante figures in classical architecture, which was then revived in the Renaissance and especially popular in Baroque architecture. Atlantean here refers to the figures' supporting posture, alluding to the load-bearing Titan Atlas, not Atlantis.

Though the most famous Atlantean figures reside in Tula, the Olmecs were the first to use Atlantean figures, which were discovered in Potrero Nuevo. Mayan sculptors also created Atlantean figures in Chichen Itza. Furthermore, the Aztecs, who greatly admired the Toltecs, created warrior statues strongly inspired by the Atlantean figures in Tula.

Contents

 * 1Composition
 * 2Earliest Example of Atlantes
 * 3Toltec Atlantean Figures from Tula
 * 3.1Dating
 * 4Other Sites
 * 4.1Mayan Atlantean Figures from Chichen Itza
 * 4.1.1Dating
 * 4.2Aztec Atlantean Figures from Tenochtitlan
 * 4.2.1Toltec Influence
 * 4.2.2Continuity or Disjunction?
 * 5Significance
 * 5.1Political
 * 5.2Religious
 * 6See also
 * 7References

Composition[edit]
Atlantean figures were made out of the available stone in the area, such as limestone, sandstone, or volcanic rock. They were carved by hand, presumably by multiple individuals at once. To carve them the individuals would have used stone tools, such as small chisels for fine sculpting, scrapers of various sizes to shape and add little details, and stone hammers to break the stones. Additional smaller and softer stones were used for smoothing. Creating these figures would have been very time-consuming, which is an indication that they served a purpose of some sort.

Earliest Example of Atlantes[edit]
At Potrero Nuevo near San Lorenzo, part of San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán, there is an altar supported by two Atlantean figures. The Olmecs created this altar. At the moment, it is believed to be the "oldest Mesoamerican example of the themes of atlantes holding up altars or ceilings" The atlantes at this site are also unique compared to those found at other sites. The atlantes are not carved out roundly like they are at later sites. Instead they are carved into the background.

Toltec Atlantean Figures from Tula[edit]
Tula has long been considered the capital for the Toltec people. At Tula one can find the Temple of Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli ('House of the Morning Star'), where there are four Atlantean figures standing over 4.6 metres (15 ft) tall. The figures here are depicted as wearing "stylized butterfly breastplates, sun-shaped shields on their backs, feathered headdresses and carry spear throwers and a supply of spears". Modern archaeologists believe the importance of these statues in the mesoamerican context. Serving as pillars for a wooden or thatched tent, the mason masses depicted warriors, loyal to the Feathered Serpent, Quetzalcoatl, a god-king associated with Venus. The temple earned its name 'House of the Morning Star' from this association.

Dating[edit]
The exact dates for when Atlantean figures in Tula were carved is unknown. However, rough estimates can be made by dating the sites. The construction of the Toltec empire has been dated to approximately A.D. 750. This dates mark the earliest time that the figures could have been carved. Because of the similarity between the sites, it is likely that there are factors that influenced all the places. Therefore, it is also likely that the sculpting of these figures took place at a later date.

Mayan Atlantean Figures from Chichen Itza[edit]
Atlantean Figures created by the Maya peoples from Chichen Itza

Built by the Maya people, Chichen Itza is a site located on the northern centre of the Yucatan Peninsula and contains what is known as the Temple of Warriors. At the top of the temple, used as support for the roof, run columns of the carved warriors wearing a feathered headdress, a butterfly-shaped pectoral, and holding a dart thrower and darts.

Dating[edit]
Like the Atlantean figures in Tula, the figures from Chichen Itza cannot be dated exactly. The construction Chichen Itza was about A.D. 100-250, which is the earliest that the figures could have been carved.

Aztec Atlantean Figures from Tenochtitlan[edit]
Inspired by the Atlantean sculptures at Tula, Aztec sculptors built five large Atlantean Warriors to reside in the Aztec capital. One bearded male warrior originally stood in the center of the group, while three male soldiers stood North, East and South. The fifth sculpture, a female warrior, stood West. These warriors marked the center and four directions of the universe, and were meant to guard the sun.

The Aztec Atlantean figures have the characteristics of a warrior. They hold spears and have clay nose bars, both indicators of military prowess. Like the Tula figures, the Aztec figures have butterfly symbols on their chest. However, the Aztec figures also have the symbol on their head.

Toltec Influence[edit]
Tula, the Toltec capital, collapsed in the 12th century, before the Aztecs established city-states. The Aztec people originally migrated from Aztlan across the central highlands before they reached the valley of Mexico, where they established Tenochtitlan. During their migration, they passed through the ruins of Tula.

The Aztecs regarded their predecessors, the Toltecs, as great warriors. The Toltecs defeated other peoples who they forced to pay tribute to Tula. The Aztecs imitated the Toltecs, forcing tribute-towns to pay maize and other goods to Tenochtitlan. Toltecayotl, which translates in Nahuatl to "to have a Toltec heart", was a term that indicated great qualities. According to Townsend,

Therefore, by imitating Toltec Atlantean figures, the Aztecs associated themselves with the fearless warriors of an ancient nation regarded as great and powerful.

The Atlantean figures of Tenochtitlan were not the only sculptures that showed resemblance to the sculpture of Tula. Aztec standard-bearer statues, seating figures with flagpoles, are very similar to those found in Tula. Furthermore, Aztecs created chacmools, reclining figures used for rituals, based on those that they encountered in Tula.

Continuity or Disjunction?[edit]
As Robert Townsend states, "the Aztecs drew on ancient artistic themes to associate themselves with the great traditions of Mesoamerican antiquary." In "State and Cosmos in the Art of Tenochtitlan", Townsend explores whether Aztec sculpture maintains continuity with or diverges from sculpture of the past. Townsend states, Chacmool from Tula. Chacmool from Tenochtitlan. In addition to copying the Atlantean figures from Tula, the Aztecs also copied the chacmools they found in Tula. Notice the similarities between the chacmool from Tula and the one in this image. The Aztecs copied Toltec sculpture because they wanted to associate themselves with the great warrior nation that came before them.

Townsend explores the dichotomy between continuity and disjunction by comparing two Aztec warrior figures to a Toltec Atlantean figure. He argues the the figure labeled as "continuity" possesses characteristics very similar to those of the Atlanteans from Tula. Townsend suggests that the figure's body is more contained within a planar, monolithic space. The expression is less defined and the carved lines are less vivid. The figure labeled as "disjunction" shows influence of more common Mexica style. Townsend points out greater detail, bold lines, deeper relief, and swelling of the face.

Political[edit]
There is indication that Atlantean figures "express the rise of new kind of military order and associated types of behaviour ". Between A.D. 850 and A.D. 900, archaeological evidence in the form of an increased number of emblems found throughout Mesoamerica support the idea that there was a "shift in leadership from the traditional one of paramount lord supported by lesser nobles (reflected in the radial stable networks and outlying elite complexes) to one that recast these supporting groups in the form of military orders".Mesoamerican Atlantean figures are seen to be the representation of this shift in political thinking.

Religious[edit]
Many researchers believe that the figures at Tula may represent the Toltec ruler Ce Acatl Quetzalcoatl. Ce Acatl Quetzalcoatl is believed to be "named after the fair-skinned god worshipped by many Mesoamerica cultures". It is possible, therefore, that Atlantean figures in Mesoamerica also share not just political roots, but religious roots as well.