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covered with thick parchment, covered with feathers glued to the surface.
98 |
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Quilted cotton armor (ichcahuipilli) was a common element of battle attire in Mesoamerica 99 (see figs. 3133). It was constructed of unspun cotton tightly stitched between two layers of cloth and sewn to a leather border. The belief that the cotton was soaked in coarse salt to strengthen it100 derives from de Landa;101 but this account is unsubstantiated elsewhere, and Gates102 thinks this is a misinterpretation of taab, "to tie," for tab, "salt," and that the cotton was tied or quilted, not salted. |
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The ichcahuipilli was so thick (one and a half to two fingers) that neither an arrow nor an atlatl dart could penetrate it.103 It was made in several styles: a type of jacket that tied at the back, a sleeveless jacket that tied in the front, a sleeveless pullover that hugged the body and reached to the top of the thigh, and a sleeveless pullover that flared and reached the midthigh.104 As with their other weaponry, the Aztecs received some cotton armor in tribute. |
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The war suit (tlahuiztli suit) encased not only the torso but the arms and legs as well in long sleeves and leggings (see figs. 4, 5, 7, 15, 31, and 32). These suits were not padded but were worn over the cotton armor.105 They existed in many different types; twelve are recorded as having been received as tribute.106 Despite appearing like animal skins, the suits of noble warriors were made of feathers sewn to a backing fabric.107 Only meritocratic nobles wore tlahuiztli suits of animal skins.108 Both types of tlahuiztli suit afforded some protection from projectiles, especially the body if the wearer was also protected by the ichcahuipilli, but the limbs were also protected, though to a lesser extent. The feathered garments were finer and of higher status. The slick surface of the feathers may have offered greater protection than would skins, especially against glancing blows, and depending on the backing, these suits were probably lighter and cooler. |
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In addition to the jacketlike top, leggings were worn.109 They offered the same protection provided to the upper limbs, since there was no cotton armor below the torso proper. But the legs were not major targets with the weapons in use, and the arms were most endangered by the force of blows rather than by the cutting power of the weapons used. Tlahuiztli suits apparently predated the Aztecs; a jaguar suit worn by a warrior is depicted at classic El Tajín.110 |
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Over their cotton armor some warriorsapparently the war leaderswore feather tunics (ehuatl) (see fig. 13).111 Not as common as |
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