#deathwhistle — Public Fediverse posts on home.social

Throughout the Aztec world, clay wind instruments in the form of human skulls, themselves decorated with owls and skulls, have been found by archaeologists. Because skulls and owls are associated with death, these artifacts have been dubbed, "Aztec death whistles." The actual use of these whistles, which produce a bloodcurdling shriek, is unknown and is still being debated by archaeologists. First considered toys, then interpreted as ritual instruments associated with the Aztec death god, Mictiautecutli, they have come to be explained as instruments of battle. They are thought to have been blown to inspire the troops and strike terror in the hearts of the enemy. Since 1999, they have been associated with the wind god, Ehecatl and the ritual of human sacrifice. The debate continues. https://www.iflscience.com/aztec-death-whistle-that-produced-horrifying-shriek-possibly-used-during-human-sacrifices-71467 #Mesoamerica #Aztec #DeathWhistle