Macuahuitl: the weapon of the Indians, which even the Spanish conquistadors were afraid of (5 photos)

It is not easy to classify. Something between a club and a sword - but deadly.





The weapon was also called macuavitl, macuahutl, macuahuitl - “hand stick”, as the Indians of Mesoamerica affectionately called it. Shaft macuahuitl was made more authentic, carvings and drawings were applied to it. Both grooves were made on the sides: they were filled with a sticky mixture of plants, resin, clay and other ingredients, and then they inserted blades from obsidian.



macuahuitl

There were many variations of such weapons - one-handed and two-handed. As a rule, the Indian rushed into battle with a macuahuitl in one hand. and a light, durable shield in the other. Europeans learned about it in the 16th century, when they came to “civilize” the Indians in steel armor, with swords and firearms. Nevertheless, the natives gave them a fitting rebuff and not the last role in this was played by macuahuitl - its thinnest and strongest the blade inflicted terrible wounds, in a hot climate they started quickly fester and the person died in terrible agony.



Indian arsenal

The “stick with an obsidian blade” also had a drawback - it not intended for stabbing at all. Here is a chop from the shoulder - this is yes, with pleasure, but it was worth pricking and you could lose expensive obsidian.



The last example of the macuahuitl was kept in the Madrid Museum. until 1884, then it was destroyed by fire. After that, ominous the weapons of the Indians remained only in the annals, in the drawings, and sometimes in skillful reconstructions.