Photo Source: Quauhquechollan
The Lienzo de Quauhquechollan is a pictographic map that chronicles the conquest of Guatemala. It is unique in that it reflects the point of view of the indigenous conquerors. The Quauhquecholteca who painted the story map, were from Central Mexico. They had been unhappy under Aztec rule and allied themselves with the Spanish Conquistadors when they arrived.
The Quauhquecholteca began painting the 8’ X 10’ cloth in 1530 while in the midst of their military campaign against the Maya. The painted symbols on the cloth represented what was important to them during their journey through Guatemala. Geographic landmarks, towns, events, activities, and even cultural concepts had their own unique symbols. The Quauhquecholteca often used lienzos as storyboards for oral presentations and public performances.
New interpretations of the Lienzo de Quauhquechollan by Dutch archaeologist Florine Asselbergs, suggest that the purpose of this Lienzo was to document the active role of the Quauhquecholteca in the conquest of Guatemala; and to support their claim for the later spoils of that conquest.
Asselbergs also suggests that is it was Jorge de Alvarado, and not his brother Pedro, who actually led the Spaniards against the Maya.
The process of the digital restoration of the Lienzo is fascinating. Rather than explain each step, it is more effective to simply refer the reader to the 10 minute video presentation of the process at Quauhquechollan.
The Quauhquechollan website is the repository of the Lienzo de Quauhquechollan research that was undertaken by the Universidad Francisco Marroguin in Guatemala. It is an interesting website that invites further exploration. Information and images for this post were obtained from Quauhquechollan and its publications. A special thanks goes out to reader Aschrei for sharing the Quauhquechollan resource.
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