le/1983/10/02/the-aztecs/60851dec-d70b-4415-926d6c8166b07709/?utm_term=.20593e312fed> This greenstone heart is fascinating in many ways; jade had many positive connotations in Aztec times, but it also draws to mind the pain and fear associated with dying (whether through sacrifice or by natural causes!). It is a well-known fact that much of Aztec art is inspired by death, but usually this influence is shown more blatantly. For example, an Aztec necklace owned by Harvard Research Centre is adorned with skulls which “when the wearer moved, [...] wagged their jaws” (Richard, 1983). The greenstone heart is less obviously macabre, yet once its meaning is more closely examined, in some ways it is just as sinister. Penfield, T. 1966, Dig Here!: Lost Mines and Buried Treasures of the Southwest, Adventures Unlimited Press (reprint), n.p. Maffie, J. 2014, Aztec Philosophy: Understanding a World in Motion, University Press of Colorado, n.p. Nichols, D.L., Berdan, F., Smith, M.E. 2017, Rethinking the Aztec economy, University of Arizona Press, n.p. Aztec Ritual 2013, viewed 11th April 2018 The greenstone heart also reminds us of the many mysteries which still surround some aspects of ancient cultures, and how little we know about people’s motivations. Although most people are aware of sacrifice and cannibalism in Aztec culture, the exact reasoning behind it is still not known. Overall, it is a reminder of the fascinating history and beliefs of a people long dead. Greenstone ‘heart’ 2011, viewed 10th April 2018 Bibliography Greenstone heart 2011, viewed 24th April 2018 Donn, L. 2015, Aztec Afterlife, viewed 23rd April 2018 Mere (weapon) 2017, viewed 24th April 2018 Bjordal, M. 2013, Ancient Aztec Perception on Death and Afterlife, viewed 23rd April 2018 Jade Meaning, Powers and History 2007, viewed 24th April 2018 Gillespie, S.D. 2013, If warriors turned into butterflies in the afterlife, what did ordinary people turn into?, viewed 23rd April 2018 Jade History and Lore 2013, viewed 24th April 2018 Aztec Civilization Timetable 2017, viewed 10th April 2018 Desjardins, J. 2015, The History of Jade: The Emperor’s Stone, viewed 24th April 2018 Mursell, I. 2013, Heart of Jade, viewed 23rd April 2018 Cartwright, M. 2017, Jade in Ancient China, viewed 24th April 2018 Dresden Codex 2018, viewed 11th April 2018 Braid, F. 2017, Jade Symbolism, viewed 24 April 2018 Harris, M. and Sahlins, M. 1979, Cannibals and Kings: An Exchange, viewed 11th April 2018 Harris, M. 1978, Here Be Cannibals (an extract from Cannibals and Kings: The Origin of Cultures), viewed 11th April 2018 Richard, P. 1983, The Aztecs, viewed 10th April 2018