An Introduction to Anatomic Knowledge in Pre‐Hispanic Mesoamerica

Abstract

Background and ObjectiveThe study of the history of anatomy has primarily focused on contributions from Asia and the Mediterranean, while other civilizations are only briefly mentioned. The purpose of this study was to explore the anatomic knowledge of three Mesoamerican civilizations ‐ the Olmecs, Maya, and Aztecs ‐ based on available literature, as well as identify barriers to research on this subject.ResultsIn order to understand the anatomic knowledge of these civilizations, medical researchers have turned to other fields such as archaeology and linguistics. The Olmec heart effigy portrayed a four chambered heart and the great vessels, making it the earliest accurate depiction of the organ. Other Olmec sculptures record observations about human gestation, recognizable stages of fetal development, and congenital abnormalities. Analysis of Mayan dictionaries and other works show that their understanding of anatomy, physiology, and pathology compared to that of pre‐Vesalian Europe. The Aztecs demonstrated their knowledge of anatomy and physiology that was gained through the practice of sacrificial rituals in large ceramic figures and collections of medical texts. Identified barriers to this research include destruction of primary sources by the Spanish during the conquest, substantial linguistic and archaeologic differences across regions, as well as a general lack of investigation.ConclusionWith the reinterpretation of sculpted figures and by taking a second look at their written works, researchers have begun to reveal that the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec peoples had a much better understanding of anatomy than they have previously been credited. Their knowledge of anatomy and medicine in general should be recognized and discussed in the same regard as that of the Mediterranean and Asia.