The Aztecs created the small 1.2 to 2-inch-long (3 to 5 centimeters) skull-shaped whistles out of clay, possibly to represent Mictlantecuhtli, the Aztec lord of the underworld.

Aztec death whistle may have been used to prepare sacrifice victims for journey to the afterlife because of their ominous, scream-like sound ...

Their skull-shaped body may represent Mictlantecuhtli, the Aztec Lord of the Underworld, and the iconic screaming sound may have prepared human sacrifices for their mythological descent into ...

Aztec death whistle may have been used to prepare sacrifice victims for journey to the afterlife because of their ominous, scream-like sound ...

The skull-shaped body of the Aztec death whistle may represent Mictlantecuhtli, the Aztec Lord of the Underworld. (Bild: Sascha Frühholz, UZH) view more . Credit: Sascha Frühholz.

Aztec death whistle may have been used to prepare sacrifice victims for journey to the afterlife because of their ominous, scream-like sound ...

Aztec death whistle may have been used to prepare sacrifice victims for journey to the afterlife because of their ominous, scream-like sound ...