The Archaeologist

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The AWFUL Hygiene During the Aztec Empire Will DISTURB You

What was Aztec hygiene like?

The Aztecs, a Mesoamerican group that thrived from the 14th to 16th centuries, inherited cultural practices from their predecessors, the Mayans, and Toltecs. They valued cleanliness and purity, which was reflected in their hygiene practices. When the Spanish arrived in the early 16th century, they were impressed by the Aztecs' cleanliness, which contrasted with European practices at the time. The Aztec Empire went to great lengths to provide clean water and promote hygiene using natural ingredients, which were intertwined with physical and spiritual considerations. Their canal system transported clean water around the cities, demonstrating their understanding of water's importance to all aspects of life.