Lost Treasure

The Aztecs settled in what is now central Mexico beginning in the late 13th century. They built a powerful civilization that thrived for about 200 years.

“There were several million Aztecs,” says Michael Smith, an archaeology professor at Arizona State University. “They had a large, complex society.”

The Aztecs built temples and palaces, developed advanced methods of farming, and created a writing system using symbols. Aztec children went to school and studied history, art, and music.

The Aztecs settled in what is now central Mexico beginning in the late 13th century. They built a powerful civilization. It thrived for about 200 years.

The Aztecs settled in what is now central Mexico beginning in the late 13th century. They built a powerful civilization. It thrived for about 200 years.

The Aztecs built temples and palaces. They developed advanced methods of farming. And they created a writing system using symbols. Aztec children went to school and studied history, art, and music.

In 1519, the Aztec Empire was at the peak of its power. That year, conquistadors, or conquerors from Spain, arrived. They were led by Hernán Cortés (ehr-NAN kor-TEZ).

Montezuma II was uncertain about the visitors, but he invited them to stay in his palace. The Spaniards weren’t very good guests, however. For one thing, they began stealing Aztec jewelry.

“They had metalworkers melt down a lot of the jewelry and form it into gold bars,” Smith explains.

Soon the Spanish soldiers took Montezuma II prisoner. Historians aren’t sure exactly who killed him on June 30, 1520. But they agree that his death was the beginning of the end of the Aztec Empire. After fleeing Tenochtitlán that night, Cortés and his army returned about a year later. They conquered the Aztecs and set up a new colony.

In 1519, the Aztec Empire was at the peak of its power. That year, conquistadors, or conquerors from Spain, arrived. They were led by Hernán Cortés (ehr-NAN kor-TEZ).

Montezuma II was uncertain about the visitors. But he invited them to stay in his palace. The Spaniards weren’t very good guests, however. For one thing, they began stealing Aztec jewelry.

“They had metalworkers melt down a lot of the jewelry and form it into gold bars,” Smith explains.

Soon the Spanish soldiers took Montezuma II prisoner. Historians aren’t sure exactly who killed him on June 30, 1520. But they agree that his death was the beginning of the end of the Aztec Empire. After fleeing Tenochtitlán that night, Cortés and his army returned about a year later. They conquered the Aztecs and set up a new colony.

In 1981, a construction worker was digging at the site of a new bank in Mexico City. He pulled something unexpected from the mud. It was a gold bar that weighed about 4 pounds.

Archaeologists studied the bar, but questions remained. Now, nearly 40 years later, experts have confirmed that it is stolen Aztec treasure dropped by the fleeing conquistadors.

The bar was found in the area where Cortés and his soldiers escaped. Experts analyzed the gold with a special type of X-ray machine and matched it with other gold Aztec artifacts from that time period.

Smith says the gold bar is the first direct evidence of the events of La Noche Triste. It’s a connection to one of the great ancient civilizations.

In 1981, a construction worker was digging in Mexico City. He pulled something unexpected from the mud. It was a gold bar that weighed about 4 pounds.

Archaeologists studied the bar. But questions remained. Now, nearly 40 years later, experts have confirmed that it is stolen Aztec treasure dropped by one of the Spanish invaders.

The bar was found in the area where Cortés and his soldiers escaped. Experts analyzed the gold with a special type of X-ray machine. They matched it with other gold Aztec artifacts from that time period.

Smith says the gold bar is the first direct evidence of the events of La Noche Triste. It’s a connection to one of the great ancient civilizations.

1. What were some achievements of the Aztecs?

2. How did the relationship between Montezuma II and Hernán Cortés change?

3. What is the section “A Golden Clue” mostly about?

1. What were some achievements of the Aztecs?

2. How did the relationship between Montezuma II and Hernán Cortés change?

3. What is the section “A Golden Clue” mostly about?