For thousands of years, cultures all over the world have had effigies -- statues, figurines, carvings or other images that represent people, animals or mythical characters.

Religious or spiritual reasons inspired the making of many effigies. Some served as sacrifices during religious rituals; others provided protection from gods or spirits. Some effigies were created as beautiful works of art to provide joy to the artist and the owner who kept them.

Xiuhtecuhtli, the main god of fire for the Aztec, was an alter ego of the god Huehueteotl. Titles such as the god of fire, light, warmth, food during shortages, and life during death best describe Huehueteotl. The moody expression and wrinkled face portrayed on the figure possibly indicate that someone made the figure as an offering around A.D. 600.

The Aztec had many gods besides Xiuhtecuhtli. The god of the underworld described Acolnahuacatl. Tlaloc was the god of fertility, rain and lightning. Teoyaomicqui was the god of dead warriors. The god of hunting, fishing and trapping was Opochtli. Temazcalteci was the goddess of bathing. The god of feasting, dancing, games, painting and writing was Xochipilli.

The Aztec believed some of their gods controlled different parts of nature and the universe, so the beliefs and the behavior of the gods explained the workings of the world. The Aztec wished to make the gods do what they wanted by praying or making sacrifices. The Aztec hoped the gods would do things such as control the rain, produce large crops, provide more animals for hunting and prevent freezing weather during the winter.

Science is how many people now explain the universe and what happens in it. The scientific method represents a process that involves a series of steps. First, researchers define a question. Next, they find information to make a hypothesis, or educated guess, about the results. Then, they collect, analyze and interpret the data. Finally, they draws conclusions that lead to a new hypothesis, starting the process all over again.

Scientists use reasoning and creativity to form theories to explain their observations; this helps to create ways to test, expand or change the theories.

Science rarely, if ever, provides a complete and final answer for a question. However, science provides the best answers based on the data and observations at hand. Scientific training helps disprove wishful yet futile hopes that making a sacrifice will provide more rain.

Correlated Virginia science Standards of Learning: 4.1; 6.1; ES.2. Virginia history Standards of Learning: WHI.11.
Elizabeth Moore is curator of archaeology at the Virginia Museum of Natural History in Martinsville.