Giant snake head found under school building in Mexico City after earthquake

The 2022 earthquake in Mexico helped archaeologists make an unusual discovery. Under the building of a law school in Mexico City, they discovered a sculpture of a huge snake head from the Aztec era. The artifact was painted in different colors.

A magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck Mexico City on September 19, 2022. About 500 years ago, the territory of the modern capital was part of the prosperous Aztec city of Tenochtitlan. One of the most revered deities of this people was Quetzalcoatl, who was often depicted as a snake. However, scientists cannot yet say whether the found head was connected specifically with this cult.

The sculpture reached 1.8 m in length, one meter in height and 85 cm in width, and its weight was 1.3 tons. Traces of red, blue, black and white dyes remain on the surface.

To preserve the artifact in its original form, specialists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) lifted it from the ground using a crane and placed it in a chamber with low humidity. Scientists noted that the preserved colors make it possible to better imagine the impression this statue made on the inhabitants of Tenochtitlan, Live Science reports.