For Immediate Release Contact: Nancy O'Shea (312) 665-7100 (For Media Use Only) Exhibition Walk Through Take a Tour through a Spectacular Civilization Welcome to The Aztec World, only at The Field Museum The Field Museum has assembled nearly 300 artifacts from museums in Mexico and the United States to create an exclusive look at the Aztec empire. Objects crafted from precious metals, terra cotta, obsidian, greenstone, and other materials tell the epic story of The Aztec World, and how, in just 200 years, the empire rose from the middle of a lake to become the vibrant capital of Mesoamerica. From 1325 to 1521, while the European Renaissance was dawning, the Aztecs built a sophisticated and expansive empire with technical, economic, and artistic advances that laid the groundwork for modern Mexican society. You will be awed by Aztec building feats, fascinated by their colorful gods and rituals, and learn what it was like to be a hardworking farmer, skilled artisan, or a powerful ruler. Walking from the rural outskirts of Tenochtitlan, the Aztecs’ capital (today’s Mexico City), to the magnificent Templo Mayor (Great Temple), you will experience life on an Aztec farm and see how chinampas (artificial islands) were cultivated. Admire the exquisite handicrafts of the artisans; discover how fierce Aztec warriors conquered faraway provinces; and marvel at the ingenuity and skill of the engineers who built monumental temples in a swamp. Introduction Entering the The Aztec World, you are greeted by an eagle-shaped cuauhxicalli, or offering vessel, representing the legendary eagle who appeared on the shores of Lake Texcoco—a sign to Aztec nomads that this was where they were to build their great city. A brief video gives background information before you start your journey through the exhibition. To set the mood for things to come, a colorful wall-sized mural provides a detailed, aerial view of the sprawling metropolis of Tenochtitlan, surrounded by water at the foot of towering volcanic peaks. In the 40-mile-wide, bowl-shaped valley, the Aztecs built a carefully laid-out grid of streets and canals. These were traveled by thousands of people transporting food and goods to the all-important market. Continue >>