AZTEC CALENDAR

The Aztec calendar, also called the Mexica calendar, dates back to Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. There are two Aztec calendars, that is to say, two measurements of time: the xiuhpohualli, or "year count," which was used as a civil and agricultural calendar, and the tonalpohualli, or "day count," which was used mainly by Aztec priests as a sacred ritual calendar. The Aztecs also divided time into 52-year periods called calendar rounds. Though it was mainly used by the Aztec civilization, some neighboring Mesoamerican groups likely used the calendar as well.

The calendar was recorded on the Aztec calendar stone, also known as the Aztec sun stone, which was carved in the 16th century. It depicts Aztec astrological signs, mythical figures, and gods, placing the sun god, Tonatiuh, at the center. The calendar stone was believed to have been kept in one of the capital city's important temples, so it was likely only accessible to priests and rulers. Though similar to the older Mayan calendar, the Aztec calendar was used as a unique measure of time.

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