About 23 tombstones dating back to 15th century have been excavated at the ancient site of Tenochtitlan in the central part of Mexico City, the UNESCO's World Heritage Centre said in a statement Friday. Founded in 1325 in the Valley of Mexico, Tenochtitlan, the modern day Mexico City, served as the capital city of Aztec Empire that ruled the region from 1428 until they were defeated by Spain in 1521.

“The new finds highlight, without a doubt, two histories of two different cultures in Tenochtitlan,” the World Heritage Centre added, pointing towards the effects of Aztec and Spanish cultures on Tenochtitlan.

The tombstones have carvings of snakes, prisoners, ornaments and warriors, which seem to depict the birth of Huitzilopochtli, the god of war and patron of the Aztecs, according to archaeologists from INAH-Conaculta (The Mexican National Institute of Anthropology and History and the Mexican National Council for Culture and the Arts), who found the tombstones.

The tombstones, over 550 years old, are located in front of the ruins of the Templo Mayor, the ancient temple of the Aztecs excavated in 1978. Starting in 1325, the temple had been built six times until it was destroyed by the Spanish invaders in the early years of the 15th century.

FULL ARTICLE: Dozens Of 550-Year-Old Tombstones Discovered At Tenochtitlan Ruins In Mexico City – International Business Times.