Monolith of Tlaltecuhtli

This Mexica monolith (c. 1500) depicts Tlaltecuhtli, earth goddess of life and death, in a birthing pose with open jaws receiving blood. The stone once adorned the base of the Templo Mayor. Carved with skulls, stellar symbols, and ritual ornaments, it embodied regeneration through sacrifice. Traces of polychromy once gave it a vivid, fearsome presence.