What is the archaeological evidence for the Aztecs' use of entheogens?
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Though interpretation is always imperfect, many would use folios from the Florentine Codex as direct evidence for mushroom use among Aztecs, and probably Mesoamericans broadly. Here is the prime piece of evidence:
- A mushroom is depicted, and given the name "Teonanacatl"
- An Aztec man sits on a mat that is known to be a ceremonial object.
- The man is eating.
- A 'demon' is placing its hand upon the man's head.
(1) the name 'teonanacatl' has the Nahuatl stem 'teo-', giving the word a Divine orientation; and 'nanacatl' having the meaning of 'flesh'. Divine Flesh
(3) The eating of flesh must be put in context to the culture; human sacrifice (as part of state ritual) included the consumption of flesh, and this consumption 'reformed' and elevated those from lower classes into priesthood and rulership. That fact is weakly-referenced here, and the information has scholastic basis.
There is a very deep relationship between this practice, Xipe Totec, the ixiptla of state ritual, and the governing of societal renewal, which I have written about in some detail. Though I won't provide references here, you can think of all this 'renewal' as part-and-parcel in the practice of Medicine - which for the Aztecs could often include (what we call) the 'shamanic' medicines. They were normal, if not strong, medicines for those peoples... a 'prescription drug', if you will.
- (4) The 'demon' is depicted in a colonial style, influenced by the language and schema of missionary priests.
The imagery is prevalent in many arbitrary sources also because modern descendent of Mesoamerican people assert the authenticity of these practices.
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