[Aztlan] A Speculation on a Sacrifice at Teotihuacán

[Paul Troemner]

Justin,
 
Perhaps removing the lower jaw of the victim and using it as a necklace renders the victim speechless in the world to come, in sadness or torment until the lower jaw can be rejoined to the skull in resurrection or whatever similar Mayan (or Aztec or Teo) belief may exist.
 
Here is an interesting side note, not necessarily related to the lower jaw necklace:
 
Water Necklace (Fascioliasis) - swelling of the lower jaw of sheep, believed by Tzotzil Maya to be caused by sadness:
http://www.fadr.msu.ru/rodale/agsieve/txt/vol6/4/art3.html
 
"Because the Tzotzil believe that 'water necklace' may be caused by sadness, a ritual treatment may be called for. In one such ritual, the shepherdess leads the sick sheep to a trail crossing and requests the sadness to leave her sheep and depart down any of the trails."
 
Paul