Aztec macuahuitl lost in 1884 Madrid armory fire. The macuahuitl was stored in the Royal Armory in Madrid, inside a stone building from Philip II's reign Renovators covered the original stone interiors with wooden paneling in 1881 to create a museum On July 9, 1884, the building caught fire and soldiers saved European pieces but not the macuahuitl
The only known macuahuitl stored in Madrid's Royal Armory was lost when the building burned in 1884. Soldiers saved European pieces but not this artifact. Only 19th century photographs of this specimen survive. 🏛️🔥
Key Facts
- The macuahuitl was stored in the Royal Armory in Madrid, inside a stone building from Philip II's reign
- Renovators covered the original stone interiors with wooden paneling in 1881 to create a museum
- On July 9, 1884, the building caught fire and soldiers saved European pieces but not the macuahuitl
- Only 19th century photographs by French photographer Jean Ron survive
- One fragment was dug up during Mexico City subway construction in the 1960s
- Another fragment was excavated in the 1990s and briefly displayed, but neither is on public display today
Source: The Sword of Razors: 5 Ancient Swords That Can't Be Explained by Dark5 Ancient Mysteries