Teotihuacan Ocelot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Teotihuacan Ocelot |
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Teotihuacan Ocelot on display in the British Museum
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| Material | Calcite onyx |
| Size | Height 16 cm, Length 33.5cm |
| Created | 400-600 AD |
| Discovered | Teotihuacan, Mexico |
| Present location | British Museum, London |
| Registration | Am1926-22 |
The Teotihuacan Ocelot is a cool sculpture of a big cat, like a jaguar or a puma. It was found in an ancient city called Teotihuacan in Mexico. This special artwork is made from a shiny stone called alabaster. It was discovered a long time ago, in the late 1800s. Today, you can see it at the British Museum in London.
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What is the Teotihuacan Ocelot?
This amazing sculpture is shaped like an ocelot (a type of wild cat) that is lying down. It was used as a special bowl for offerings. People in ancient Teotihuacan would place gifts inside it for their gods.
How was the Ocelot Sculpture Made?
The artists carved this sculpture from a single piece of beautiful alabaster. This stone was very valuable back then. The sculpture's style matches other art from Teotihuacan. This includes the masks and buildings from that time.
Details of the Teotihuacan Ocelot
The eyes of the ocelot were once filled with shiny shells or precious stones. This would have made them sparkle! There is a dip on the cat's back. This hollow part was where the offerings were placed.
Where Was the Teotihuacan Ocelot Found?
A worker found this cat sculpture in 1889. It was discovered near the bottom of the huge Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan.
Journey to the British Museum
The sculpture was first offered to a museum in Mexico. But they did not buy it. So, it was sold to an English traveler instead. Later, in 1926, the British Museum bought the sculpture. They got help from a special fund called the Christy Fund.
Other Similar Discoveries
Only one other similar cat statue has been found at Teotihuacan. That one is made of calcite. It is now kept in Mexico's national collection.
