| Keyword | Description |
|---|---|
| Azcatitlan Codex | An illustrated manuscript depicting Aztec history, recently loaned back to Mexico from France. |
| Tenochtitlán | An ancient city that was the capital of the Mexica empire, now Mexico City. |
| Great Franco-Mexican Festival | A cultural program celebrating the relationship between France and Mexico. |
The Azcatitlan Codex, a valuable manuscript that tells the story of the Mexica, also known as the Aztecs, is back in Mexico after 186 years. This document, which is on loan from France, is being displayed at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City. It provides a detailed history of the Mexica people, who are often called the Aztecs. The Mexica built their capital, Tenochtitlán, on an island where Mexico City is today.
The codex was created in the late 16th or early 17th century. It combines traditional Mesoamerican pictorial writing with European bookmaking techniques. The manuscript covers the Mexica migration, the rule of Tenochtitlán’s leaders and the arrival of the Spanish forces led by Hernán Cortés in 1519.
This temporary return is part of a cultural exchange to celebrate 200 years of diplomatic relations between Mexico and France. Mexico has sent the Boturini Codex to France in return. The exchange is part of the Great Franco-Mexican Festival, featuring nearly 200 cultural activities.
To make the exhibit even more engaging, the museum shows the original codex under low light, and visitors can see reproductions of other pages. There are also archaeological objects and replicas of other important manuscripts like the Codex Mendoza.
This exchange is part of a broader effort to preserve and share important historical documents, ensuring that the rich history of the Mexica people continues to be studied and appreciated around the world.
Bridging words
These words sound similar in English and Spanish: Why not practice them now?
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Codex | Códice |
| Migration | Migración |
| Diplomatic | Diplomático |
Time to discuss
- Why do you think it’s important for countries to share historical documents and artifacts?
- How might the exchange of the Azcatitlan Codex impact relations between Mexico and France?
- What do you think museums can do to make historical exhibits more interesting for young people?
Let’s Write
Answer the following questions in one paragraph.
- What are some challenges countries might face when trying to recover historical documents from abroad?
- How does the Azcatitlan Codex help us understand the history of the Mexica people?
