Page 110 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

108 PRE-COLUMBIAN WEAPONRY ▶ AZTEC CHIMALLI

WMEN 500–1500 Weapons technology did not advance significantly in the Origin Mexico
Date 1400–1500

Diameter 30in (75cm)
Americas in the thousand years before European contact in the late
15th century. The most common weapons were thrusting spears,
An Aztec warrior’s chimalli (shield)
was usually made of fire-hardened
slings, and wooden clubs, with padded cotton armor forming the
bamboo, tied together with fibers
principal protection. Warfare, although common (especially between
from the maguey plant. They were
the Mayan cities of Mesoamerica), occurred on a small scale until the
backed with cotton or leather
and covered with feathers, which
14th and 15th centuries. This period saw the emergence of the more
object pictured here is a replica.
AND BO organized Inca and Aztec states, which were able to construct large often hung down in tassels. The
empires dominating most of Peru and Mexico, respectively. It was
their ability to deploy resources effectively, rather than superior
military technology, that ensured their supremacy.
Human
Axes were not commonly
▶ MAYAN AXEHEAD
KNIGHTS Date 9th century ce employed by Mayan warriors silhouette
in battle—this axehead bearing
Origin Mexico
the form of human silhouettes
1
Length 12 ⁄2in (32cm)
was probably ceremonial. The
Mayans instead used mainly
Material Obsidian
spears and long clubs.
Gold
headdress

Small human head
Cavity for
turquoise decoration
Image of
Sicán Lord
▼ MIXTEC GOLD This gold breastplate in the form of
BREASTPLATE a deity came from the Mixtec people
Date 1300–1450ce of Monte Alban, near modern-day
Oaxaca. Mixtec nobles fought with
Origin Mexico thrusting spears, while commoners
Material Gold probably used slings and atlatls.

Face of
Mixtec god

Wide, semi-
circular blade

▲ CEREMONIAL TUMI Tumis were ceremonial knives with
Date 9–11th century ce semicircular blades, characteristic
of the Sicán and the Moche,
Origin Peru
pre-Inca peoples of Peru. They
3
Length Approx. 13 ⁄4in depicted the mythical founder of
(35cm) the Sicán people, the Sicán Lord,
Material Gold, bronze and were used in sacrifices to
slit the victim’s throat.