"they (the aztecs) have a most horrid and abominable custom which truly ought to be punished. and this is that, whenever
they wish to ask something of the idols, in order that their plea may find more acceptance, they take many girls and boys and
even adults, and in the presence of these idols they open their chests while they are still alive and take out their hearts and
entrails and burn them before the idols. some of us have seen this, and they say it is the most terrible and frightful thing they
have ever witnessed."
hernan cortes
letter to charles v. 1520
the accuracy of this account could be questioned because
it was written long after the aztecs has become extinct.
it was written by someone who had never seen the aztecs.
charles v was conspiring with the portuguese to take over aztec lands.
cortes's bias against the people he is to conquer could influence this story