AN ANCIENT civilisation, renowned for its human sacrifices, has been brought to life by pupils at Bitham Brook Primary School.

Youngsters in three classes have this term been learning about the Aztecs who ruled over modern day Mexico before the Spanish conquest in the 16th century.

The project, which has involved many different aspects of the curriculum, has proved a big hit with pupils at the Westbury school who have even been sampling traditional Aztec food.

The 90 youngsters from Year 2 to Year 5 have been looking at first hand evidence on the ancient people, including maps and photos of artifacts. With the Year 2 pupils also studying modern Mexico, they have had the chance to compare the country then and now.

Alongside studying the Aztecs' codex writing, the pupils have been creating their own masks, shields and weaves, which will prove good souvenirs when the project is completed.

Bitham Brook pupil Christopher said how much he was enjoying the project.

"The best thing has been finding out how they lived. They lived in houses that were thatched and the roofs were straw," he said.

Fellow enthusiast Ellie said: "I enjoyed doing the Aztec weaving, but it was hard to do at first.

"I just had to have the first few stitches put on and then I was fine. It probably takes about five days to make them."

Matthew was fascinated by the Aztecs' traditional religion.

He said: "The Aztecs believed that if they didn't make a sacrifice the sun would not rise.

"They also fished their lakes and lived in a place called Tenochtitln. They used wheels for their toys, but not for anything else."

Deputy head and Year 3 and 4 class teacher Jill Parmley has been overseeing the Aztec project this term.

She said: "We had to do a non-European civilisation and this was something a bit different. They've been playing history detectives.

"It's nice and gruesome, which the children seemed to like. They've also used the computers to research information on what it was like to live in those times."

Staff say the Aztecs work has been particularly useful in terms of literacy with pupils using it as the basis for their report writing. While the school has some of its own imitation artifacts it has also been able to borrow resources from the county library.

Mrs Parmley said the only drawback about the project is not being able to take a trip to the Aztec ruins in Mexico.

She joked: "We did try to persuade John (Kimberley, headteacher) that we should go and see them, but he wouldn't allow it."